Galloway is one of the most prominent British politicians supporting the Palestinian cause (Getty)

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the victory of veteran politician George Galloway in the parliamentary elections as disturbing, and warned of efforts to undermine democracy in the United Kingdom.

In a speech he delivered outside his Downing Street office on Friday, Sunak accused what he described as “Islamic extremists and the far right” of deliberately undermining Britain’s ancient democracy, and called for a more stringent security approach to dealing with protests in support of the Gaza Strip, in light of the growing hate speech. in the country.

In what appears to be a confirmation of his positions in support of Israel in its war on Gaza, as he still affirms its right to defend itself, Sunak criticized the protests in support of Gaza, and said, “People have the right to protest and demand the protection of civilian life in Gaza, but they cannot use this to justify support for Hamas.” "It is a banned group."

Sunak said that the election of George Galloway to a parliamentary seat was “beyond the level of concern,” and accused him of ignoring the attack launched by the Palestinian resistance on Israel on the seventh of last October.

In response to what was stated in Sunak’s speech regarding his victory, Galloway confirmed that he opposes violence and extremism, and recalled that he was personally exposed to an attack in 2014. He added, “I am against extremism and violence like anyone else, and perhaps a little more so given my personal experience.”

Galloway was referring to the attack he was subjected to on August 30, 2014, when he was a member of the British Parliament, when people attacked him and beat him, which led to his jaw being broken, in an attack believed to have resulted from his statements in support of the Palestinians, according to what his party said at the time.

“This is for Gaza.” The first phrase uttered by veteran British politician George Galloway, after he won about 40% of the votes in the parliamentary by-elections for the city of Rochdale, which were dominated by the devastating Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

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Yesterday, Galloway won about 40% of the votes in the by-elections for the British Parliament for the city of Rochdale, which was dominated by the devastating Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

Galloway targeted British Labor Party leader Keir Starmer in his victory speech and said, "Keir Starmer, this is for Gaza," and added, "You will pay a heavy price for the role you played in enabling, encouraging and covering up the catastrophe that is currently occurring in occupied Gaza in the Gaza Strip."

"The Labor Party realizes that it has lost the trust of millions of its voters who have voted loyally for it, generation after generation," Galloway said.

Despite a campaign dominated by events in the Middle East, Galloway said he hoped to form a “grand coalition” with Rochdale councilors to work on local issues.

Galloway remained one of the most prominent supporters of the Palestinian cause, as he led international lifeline convoys to Gaza, which he visited with solidarity activists, and obtained Palestinian citizenship given to him by Ismail Haniyeh, who was serving as Prime Minister of the government at the time.

Source: Al Jazeera + Reuters