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The Prime Minister said \u00adyesterday that a large pro-\u00adPalestinian march would be both \u201cprovocative\u201d and \u201cdisrespectful\u201d. But the Express understands he would prefer the protest in London not to go ahead at all.<\/p>\n
He warned of a risk of the Cenotaph and other war memorials being desecrated, which he said \u201cwould be an affront\u201d to British values.<\/p>\n
Home Secretary Suella Braverman also spoke out, describing the planned protest as a \u201chate march\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Sunak\u2019s intervention comes amid warnings more than a million protesters are being urged to flood the capital on November 11 to denounce Israel\u2019s actions in Gaza.<\/p>\n
There are also fears any rally could spill over to the Sunday and clash with the traditional service at the Cenotaph.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> Activist dragged out as police break up mass Palestine protest at London station<\/strong><\/p>\n And there are concerns marchers could disrupt the two-minute silence commemorating the war dead.<\/p>\n The PM said in a statement: \u201cTo plan protests on Armistice Day is provocative and disrespectful, and there is a clear and present risk that the Cenotaph and other war memorials could be desecrated, something that would be an affront to the British public and the values we stand for.<\/p>\n \u201cThe right to remember, in peace and dignity, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for those freedoms must be protected. I have asked the Home Secretary to support the Met Police in doing everything necessary to protect the sanctity of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n In his letter, the PM made it clear that he backs the Met using \u201call the powers available\u201d to them to ensure the demonstrations do not disrupt services and desecrate memorials. He added: \u201cThis robust approach is welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n Tensions are mounting as the \u00adcrisis in Israel and Gaza intensifies, prompting demands for soldiers to bolster security on the streets of London.<\/p>\n Home Secretary Mrs Braverman said: \u201cIt is entirely unacceptable to desecrate Armistice Day with a hate march through London.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it goes ahead there is an \u00adobvious risk of serious public disorder, violence and damage as well as giving offence to millions of decent British people.<\/p>\n \u201cI have full confidence in the Metropolitan Police to ensure public safety and take all factors into account as they have done in \u00adsimilar situations in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: \u201cAnything being planned to intentionally disrupt Remembrance weekend is unacceptable. It would be an absolute disgrace to hear abusive chants at this moment of national solemnity.\u201d<\/p>\n Security minister Tom Tugendhat, a veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, called the protests \u201cinappropriate\u201d. He added: \u201cLet\u2019s be clear, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign has said that they want to march on Remembrance Sunday, and that is a matter of great concern to me.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a moment where we remember those we lost, and I think for the whole country the Cenotaph is sacred ground, and the idea that on a day like Remembrance Day you would have a protest going past it, I don\u2019t think that is acceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/5048854.jpg?r=1699049411068\")
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