Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the intimidation of MPs by “aggressive mobs,” likely referring to a protest outside the home of Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood. The MP for Bournemouth East was advised by the police to stay away from his family home where around 60 to 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators were waving flags and placards on Monday night.
In a post on Twitter, the Prime Minister stated, “Democracy is built on free debate—but increasingly MPs have been targeted by aggressive mobs for exercising those freedoms. We will never let those who intimidate prevail. It’s paramount MPs’ security is protected, and our democratic values upheld. Nothing is more important.”
Mr. Ellwood condemned the protesters advertising his private address to mobilize an aggressive, intimidating rally at his residential property, which affected not only his family but also his neighbors. Sky News posted footage showing demonstrators outside Mr. Ellwood’s home on Monday evening waving Palestinian flags and placards while chanting slogans. A poster featuring an image of the MP with the words “Tobias Ellwood, You can’t hide. You’re complicit in genocide” and blood-red palm prints was also seen among the protesters.
The so-called emergency demonstration on Monday was organized by the Palestine Solidarity Movement’s BCP branch, which said the protest was “entirely lawful” and in direct response to the Israeli bombings of Rafah refugee camp. The campaign group demanded Mr. Ellwood to “call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, sanction Israel,” and commit to seeing an end to what it claims to be “the brutal and illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territories.”
Apart from non-violent demonstrations, some MPs have been targeted in more severe threats. Justice Minister Mike Freer recently announced his exit from politics following an arson attack on his constituency office. He has had “several serious threats” to his personal safety by radical Islamists and more so-called low-level incidents throughout his political career.
The Israel-Hamas war was triggered on Oct. 7 when Hamas terrorists, who are in charge of Gaza, led attacks on Israel, killing some 1,200 Israeli people and kidnapping some 240 people. Israel, armed with its advanced defense system, has not reported further civilian casualties since. According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, the death toll in the enclave has surpassed 28,000. Sir Keir, in November, lost ten frontbenchers who resigned to vote for a Scottish National Party amendment to back a ceasefire. The proposal, opposed by the ruling Conservative Party and Labour, was not adopted. The SNP is now seeking a fresh vote on Gaza ceasefire next week, threatening to reopen up rifts within the Labour Party.