Demanding Action: No More Hate on UK Streets
Quds Day has repeatedly served as a platform for radical elements to promote hatred, incite violence, and glorify terrorist organisations. It is unacceptable that British streets are used to spread anti-Jewish hatred and calls for the destruction of Israel under the guise of political activism.
WBII is launching a national campaign demanding that UK authorities use their existing legal powers to ensure that Quds Day does not once again become a staging ground for extremist propaganda. Many of the groups and slogans associated with Quds Day are directly linked to proscribed organisations under UK law, and law enforcement must take decisive action.
Identifying the Radical Elements Behind Quds Day
Quds Day is heavily associated with Iranian-backed terrorist organisations, primarily Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)—all of which are proscribed under British law due to their involvement in terrorism. These groups are directly responsible for attacks on civilians, rocket strikes against Israeli cities, and regional destabilisation.
🔹 Hezbollah: Backed by Iran's regime, Hezbollah is responsible for global terror operations, targeting civilians in Israel, the UK, Europe, and beyond. It has openly called for the destruction of Israel and has engaged in violent conflicts to achieve that goal. The UK government designated Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organisation in 2019, recognising that there is no distinction between its so-called “political” and “military” wings.
🔹 Hamas: The group behind the October 7, 2023, massacre, Hamas is a genocidal terrorist organisation that seeks the annihilation of Israel and the Jewish people. It governs Gaza with an iron fist, uses civilians as human shields, and openly promotes jihadist violence. The UK formally banned Hamas in its entirety in 2021, making any public display of support for the group a criminal offense.
🔹 Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ): This Iranian-funded terrorist faction operates alongside Hamas, with a singular focus on armed conflict and terror against Israeli civilians. It plays a key role in organising and funding Quds Day protests worldwide, aligning itself with the Iranian regime’s goal of wiping Israel off the map. The UK has rightly designated PIJ as a terrorist entity.
🔹 Iran’s Role in Quds Day: The Iranian regime initiated Quds Day in 1979 as a propaganda tool to incite hatred against Israel and Jews globally. Tehran continues to fund, arm, and train Hamas, Hezbollah, and PIJ, ensuring that the ideology of Quds Day remains centered on terrorism and anti-Jewish incitement. Any public support for these groups in the UK is a direct endorsement of Iran’s campaign of global terrorism.
What We Are Calling For:
🔹 Proactive Enforcement of UK Terror Laws
Authorities must prevent public displays of support for proscribed organisations, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad, all of which are known to be affiliated with Quds Day organisers and participants. The Public Order Act and Terrorism Act must be enforced without exception.
🔹 Zero Tolerance for Incitement and Hate Speech
There can be no excuses for allowing calls for violence, antisemitic rhetoric, or chants that endorse the annihilation of Israel. Authorities must intervene and prosecute individuals who engage in incitement, as required by British law.
🔹 Prevention of Terrorist Symbolism in Public Spaces
The use of flags, insignias, and banners linked to proscribed organisations must be immediately curtailed. Displaying Hezbollah or Hamas flags, even under false distinctions such as “political” or “military” wings, is a direct violation of UK counterterrorism measures.
🔹 Immediate Arrests for Breaches of the Law
Authorities must act on the spot when breaches of the law occur, rather than allowing violent rhetoric to go unchecked. Arrests and legal consequences should follow, ensuring that Quds Day does not continue to be a day of impunity for extremists.
How You Can Help:
✅ Contact Your MP: Demand they hold the authorities accountable for applying the law equally.
✅ Report Violations: If you witness hate speech or illegal displays during Quds Day, report them to law enforcement immediately.
✅ Spread Awareness: Share this campaign and raise public pressure to demand action.
✅ Engage with the Media: Ensure journalists and policymakers do not downplay the dangers posed by Quds Day rallies.
WBII stands firm in demanding that British laws be upheld without exception. The UK has clear legal provisions to prohibit terrorist glorification, incitement, and hate speech, and we must ensure they are enforced to protect British Jews and uphold democratic values. We will not accept a repeat of past years, where extremists have been allowed to spread their ideology unchecked.
📢 Join us in making sure Quds Day is no longer a free pass for hate.
Our model letter
Subject: Enforcement of UK Terrorism Laws in Relation to Quds Day
Dear [MP’s Name],
I am writing to you as a concerned constituent regarding the upcoming Quds Day demonstration, which has historically included displays of support for proscribed terrorist organisations, in direct violation of UK law. I urge you to call on the Home Office and law enforcement agencies to ensure full enforcement of existing legislation, preventing the glorification of terrorism and incitement to hatred.
As you are aware, under the Terrorism Act 2000, Section 13, it is a criminal offence to display flags, symbols, or insignia that indicate support for a proscribed organisation. Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) are all fully proscribed under UK law, and their public promotion, including through slogans, banners, or chants advocating for violence, is strictly prohibited.
Furthermore, Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 makes it illegal to invite support for a proscribed group, which is a common occurrence at Quds Day demonstrations, where calls for the destruction of Israel and open endorsement of groups engaged in terror activities have been documented in previous years.
Given the legal framework in place, I respectfully request that you:
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Call on the Home Secretary and the Metropolitan Police to enforce the law by ensuring that Quds Day demonstrators do not display flags, symbols, or slogans supporting proscribed organisations.
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Urge law enforcement agencies to take immediate action against any individuals in breach of the Terrorism Act, including on-the-spot arrests and legal proceedings where necessary.
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Seek assurances from the Government that any breaches of the law will be met with consequences to prevent this event from being used as a platform for hate speech and incitement to violence.
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Ensure that local councils and police forces are equipped to monitor and report violations effectively, ensuring that enforcement is not left to reactive responses but actively prevented through lawful preemptive measures.
The UK has clear legal provisions to prevent the public promotion of terrorist organisations. The failure to consistently enforce these laws undermines national security, emboldens extremist networks, and poses a direct threat to the Jewish community in Britain.
I would appreciate your response outlining what steps you will take to address this issue. Given the seriousness of the matter, I look forward to your urgent attention to this request.
Yours sincerely,
