Protesters should be banned from covering their faces in the wake of anti-Semitism and pro-Hamas activity at Gaza demonstrations, a top government adviser has said.
Lord Walney, the former Labour MP who is now the political violence tsar, recommended a law change in a review that comes after a serious of mass protests against Israeli military action.
A feature of many of the marches has been marked demonstrators shouting pro-Hamas slogans, despite the group being banned as terrorists in the UK.
His review is set to recommend that marches only be allowed to go ahead after clear undertakings than no one would wear masks, balaclavas or scarves across their faces, according to the Sun on Sunday.
Lord Walney said: ‘What would peaceful demonstrators have to fear from a ban on masks to tackle intimidation and violence?’
Lord Walney, the former Labour MP who is now the political violence tsar, recommended a law change in a review that comes after a serious of mass protests against Israeli military action.
His review is set to recommend that marches only be allowed to go ahead after clear undertakings than no one would wear masks, balaclavas or scarves across their faces.
A feature of many of the marches has been marked demonstrators shouting pro-Hamas slogans, despite the group being banned as terrorists in the UK.
It came as Britain today warned Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that there is ‘no other option’ than a two-state solution to fighting in the Middle East.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps today lambasted Netanyahu’s ‘disappointing’ rejection of a Palestinian state as part of any post-war plan for Gaza.
Thousands of people demonstrated in central Tel Aviv on Saturday, calling for the return of hostages held in Gaza and early elections to oust Mr Netanyahu, who rules at the head of a coalition containing far-right nationalists.
He has has vowed to press ahead with the offensive in Gaza for many months despite mounting pressure on Israel to rein in its military action as the scale of death and destruction intensifies.
Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Shapps said: ‘Palestinians deserve a sovereign state, Israel deserves to have the full ability to defend itself, its own security. Unless you pursue a two-state solution, I really don’t see that there is another solution.