The streets of London witnessed demonstrations in which hundreds of thousands participated in solidarity with Palestine (French)

The British government announced on Monday that it will allocate 117 million pounds (137 million euros) to strengthen the protection of mosques, religious schools and Islamic community centers in the United Kingdom, considering that the anti-Islamic acts committed in the country are “indefensible.”

Anti-Islamic and anti-Semitic acts have increased significantly in Britain since the start of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

British Home Secretary James Cleverly said in a statement published on the first day of Ramadan, "Hatred against Muslims has absolutely no place in our society. We will not allow events in the Middle East to be used as an excuse to justify attacks on British Muslims."

The Ministry of Interior indicated in the statement that additional resources will be allocated over the next four years to “reassure and protect” Muslims.

The allocated amount is in addition to more than 29 million pounds sterling previously allocated to be spent between 2023 and 2024.

At the end of last February, the British government also announced the allocation of an amount worth 54 million pounds sterling (63 million euros) to the Community Security Trust, which works to protect the Jewish community.

Islamic Center in West London (Al Jazeera)

Repercussions of the Gaza war in Britain

Ramadan falls this year, and the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has entered its sixth month, leading to the fall of more than 31,000 martyrs, most of whom are children and women.

The war on the Gaza Strip led to massive demonstrations in the United Kingdom demanding a ceasefire in the Strip, and the Kingdom also witnessed gatherings demanding the release of Israeli detainees in Gaza.

People were arrested in connection with the demonstrations on charges of supporting Hamas, which Britain classifies as a “terrorist” organization, and on charges of expressing anti-Semitic positions.

The political class in Britain also witnessed divisions, especially within the ranks of the Labor Party, regarding the position taken on the war.

The opposition Labor Party withdrew one of its candidates for recent parliamentary by-elections after he made statements deemed anti-Semitic.

Far-right demonstrators were arrested during a demonstration in London in November 2023.

Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak denounced the "poison of extremism" in an extraordinary speech to Downing Street.

Source: French