The United Kingdom is intensifying efforts to curb protests following a recent surge in antisemitic attacks, including a stabbing of two Jewish men in London’s Golders Green neighborhood. The attack occurred Wednesday on a main street in the area and left one victim seriously injured and hospitalized as of Friday. Authorities charged 45-year-old Essa Suleiman, a Somali-born British citizen, with attempted murder.

This incident follows a broader pattern of violence targeting Jewish communities, including a deadly terrorist attack on a Manchester synagogue last October and a series of recent arson attacks on synagogues, schools, and Jewish-owned businesses. In response, the U.K. government raised its national terror threat level to “severe” on Thursday, signaling a high risk of additional attacks within the next six months.

The escalation in violence has intensified discussions regarding the role of pro-Palestinian protests across British cities. The rise in antisemitism is widely linked to heightened tensions following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Jonathan Hall, the government’s counterterrorism coordinator, has urged a suspension of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, contending that some have become breeding grounds for antisemitic sentiment.

Opponents of the ban, including the Stop the War Coalition, which organizes many such marches, reject these allegations. They maintain that the protests focus on opposing Israeli government policies and criticize the British government’s involvement in the conflict. The coalition also noted that many Jewish individuals have participated in these demonstrations.

The debate underscores the challenge of balancing free speech with restrictions on hate speech, which carries legal penalties in the U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned chants such as “globalize the intifada,” describing them as calls for terrorism against Jewish people and pledging police enforcement against those using the phrase. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley affirmed that individuals employing the chant could face arrest. Starmer emphasized that while peaceful protest is protected, expressions inciting violence or hate, including certain slogans, would not be tolerated.

Some political voices caution against measures that might infringe on civil liberties. Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party and a member of the Jewish community, warned that curtailing peaceful protest could be a “dangerous error” and reiterated that the right to dissent must be preserved. However, the party itself has faced scrutiny after police arrested two of its local election candidates for allegedly posting antisemitic comments online.

Government officials acknowledge the complexity of the issue. Minister for Victims Alex-Davies Jones stated that while many protesters legitimately oppose Israeli policies, some demonstrations have been co-opted by groups seeking to spread division and intimidation.

Recent legislation empowers authorities to impose tighter restrictions on protests, such as limiting their proximity to places of worship and preventing processions through city streets. Police recently exercised these powers to confine a Quds Day march, an annual pro-Palestinian event held during Ramadan.

As the U.K. grapples with rising antisemitic incidents, the government faces the difficult task of addressing security concerns while preserving democratic rights to protest and free expression.