Kemi Badenoch has defended her controversial position that pro-Palestine marches should be banned for spreading antisemitic hate, while marches organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson should be permitted. In an interview on the Today programme, Badenoch argued that the two types of demonstrations are fundamentally different.
Distinction Between Marches
When confronted with the suggestion that Robinson's marches also platform anti-Muslim hate, Badenoch insisted that the events are "not the same." She highlighted recent attacks on Jewish individuals, noting that two Jewish men were killed near Heaton Park synagogue last year, and two others were nearly killed in Golders Green last week.
Defending Her Position
Badenoch stated: "Criticism of religion is allowed in this country. We mustn’t mix the two things. I am talking about the attacks on Jews. It’s not the faith that’s being attacked, it’s the people." She then questioned why discussions about antisemitism often lead to whataboutery, saying, "When something happens to black people, no one does the whataboutery. When something does happen to Muslims, we don’t say what about antisemitism? Why do we have this double standard that, whenever there’s an issue with antisemitism and Jews being attacked, we have to broaden it out all the time."
Badenoch's remarks have sparked debate, with critics accusing her of ignoring the threat posed by far-right extremism. Supporters, however, argue that she is correctly prioritising the protection of Jewish communities from targeted violence.
