Hamas and Iran pose a threat on the streets of Britain, the Government’s anti-extremism tsar will warn today.
Robin Simcox, the Home Office’s independent commissioner for countering extremism, will say too many people in prominent positions in British life have sought to ‘excuse or rationalise’ Hamas’ actions.
In a keynote speech, the commissioner will say ‘it is time to confront reality’ and urge ministers to ‘commit to a long-term strategy for taking on extreme ideologies’.
Mr Simcox is expected to say Hamas and their Iranian state sponsor pose a threat beyond the Middle East.
He will also voice concerns that ‘support for Hamas does not carry the stigma that support for other terrorist groups does’.
He will add in his speech at the Royal United Services Institute in Whitehall, central London: ‘Terrorist attacks on Israel are seen as not only more justifiable than attacks on other countries, but, to some, a cause for celebration.
‘Too often, support for Palestinian rights has translated into rhetoric supportive of Hamas.
‘Too many in positions of prominence have praised them or their leadership or sought to rationalise or excuse their acts of terror.’
Mr Simcox, who was previously director of think-tank the Counter Extremism Group, is expected to urge ministers to ‘have the confidence and will to commit to a long-term strategy for taking on extreme ideologies’.
Iran, Hamas’ key backer, has the capacity to carry out or incite acts of violence in the UK, as well as spread extremism here through ‘regime-linked clerics, charities and educational institutes’, the speech will say.
The address will also touch on how freedom of expression in Britain is being threatened by groups seeking a ‘de facto blasphemy code around criticism of religious prophets’.
It will also highlight dangers posed by the extreme Right and Left.
Hamas is a banned group in the UK, meaning that membership or demonstrations of support are a criminal offence.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has urged police to use the ‘full force of the law’ against any pro-Palestinian demonstrators whose behaviour crosses into criminality.
Earlier this week Mrs Braverman warned pro-Palestinian marchers that ‘our tolerance has limits’.
She singled out the slogan ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’, which has been chanted by demonstrators in London and other UK towns and cities.
She said it was ‘disingenuous’ to claim the slogan did not call for the destruction of Israel, and added that it caused ‘alarm not just to Jews but to all decent people’.
‘Those who promote hate on Britain’s streets should realise that our tolerance has limits,’ she said.
Source » dailymail