Counter extremism Tsar says London is now a no-go area for Jews.

 

Robin Simcox - Commissioner for Counter Extremism

Robin Simcox, the Government's Commissioner for Countering Extremism, has claimed that London has become a no-go zone for Jews every weekend because of pro-Palestinian protests in the capital. He also says the government have let 'extremists' go "unchallenged for too long." Those people who have marched and protested against genocide in Gaza are being labelled 'extremists'.

I think we should treat what Simcox says with a degree of suspicion and scepticism. The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has talked about extremists who are trying to tear Britain apart and described George Galloway's by-election victory in Rochdale as "beyond alarming."

Anyone who has attended a pro-Palestinian rally will tell you that it's not unusual to see orthodox religious Jews at these rallies who support neither the State of Israel or the military action currently being taken by the Israelis in Gaza. They are easily identifiable because of the way they dress. This hardly ever gets reported in the British media which constantly talks of a "Jewish Community." Moreover, not all Jewish men wear the Kippah head covering, display side curls, or wear a black frock coat, so how would you identify someone has being Jewish? Most Jews living in the UK whether men or women, don't look any different from the rest of the white UK population. Who would think that Rachel Riley who co-presents the Channel 4 Countdown program was Jewish?

The term 'extremism' is taken from the government's 'Prevent' program that aims to counter 'Radicalization'. It defines 'extremism' as:

"vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs."

The police also refer to "domestic extremists" which is not defined in English law but covers anti-fox hunters, anti-fracking protestors, and those who campaign against the arms trade. It also includes Baroness Jenny Jones. The term "domestic extremist" basically means anything the police what it to mean. They also apply the term "extremist ideologies" to groups like the environmental campaign group Extinction Rebellion (XR) who are trying to save the planet from environmental destruction.

Simcox has been branded a cheerleader for the UK's own brand of extremism. Although the right to protest peacefully is seen as a fundamental democratic right in Britain, Simcox has slammed the pro-Palestine protests and has urged a crackdown on non-violent Islamism. His views are largely in step with those of the former Home Secretary Suella Braverman who sees a clash of civilisations in multicultural Britain. She called for powers to ban protests outright and called pro-Palestinian anti-genocide protestors, "hate marchers". Braverman was called the 'Minister for Hate' and was described has being the most divisive Home Secretary in modern British history.

Robin Simcox also has close links with the neo-conservative think tank the Henry Jackson Society that has been described as having an "anti-Islam" agenda.