Police chief Sir Peter Fahy has called on Gaza protesters in Manchester to rethink plans for future demonstrations because of the strain on community relations.

Council and police bosses have held talks over heated exchanges between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli campaigners in Manchester city centre.

Police had to form a barricade between protestors on Deansgate and King Street on Saturday.

Officers have also been posted outside city centre branches of M&S, H&M, Barclays Bank and Schuh - which have also been the focus of demonstrations by pro-Palestinian supporters, who claim the businesses support the Israeli government.

There has also been regular protests outside cosmetics shop Kedem, where demonstrators have staged a pro-Gaza rally, with demonstrators in favour of Israel organising counter-demos.

Gaza protest August 2

 

Speaking out about the problem, the GMP boss has warned the protests risked spinning out of control and has urged demonstrators to consider ‘other ways’ to better express their views.

He said: “There is a strong history of protest in Manchester but also a history of people from different races and religions respecting their differences and living peacefully alongside one another.

“We want, and encourage, healthy debate but the experience from past events is that tension in other parts of the world allow some to justify attacks against individuals, businesses or places of worship and this has affected various minority communities.

“In the instance of this protest, it is not a good thing that one particular businesses has become a focal point for the protest to the detriment of their business and other businesses in that area.

“We would ask all concerned to consider their position and whether there are other ways to express what are understandably very strong views and recognise the longer term risk to the wider community.

“Officers are monitoring closely the activities of those involved in this protest and will fully investigate anyone we suspect is breaching the criminal law.”

He added: “The protests in Manchester city centre over the last few weeks have placed Greater Manchester Police in the invidious and difficult position of being stuck in the middle trying to find a solution for all parties.

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“The protests have also highlighted a very real issue about how best to strike that delicate balance between the right to protest and the potential damage to the residential and business community in the city centre and whether there are other means for people to express what are clearly very strong and emotional views rather than targeting one individual shop.

“Greater Manchester Police completely respects everyone’s right to lawful protest. It is the fundamental right of anyone in a democratic society to express their views through protest and we as a police force are committed to facilitating these demonstrations.

“Understandably, the situation in Gaza has provoked strong emotions among communities here in Greater Manchester which has resulted in almost daily protests by pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian supporters in Manchester city centre. We are now facing the very real prospect of tensions in another part of the world spilling onto the streets of Manchester and that poses a risk to community cohesion.

“Protests, by their very nature, can often result in a certain amount of tension and disturbance as people express strong views and emotions are heighted. While protest is a human right those involved should recognise the effect these protests have. But we must also recognise the affect these protests are having on the wider community living and working in the city centre and the disruption caused to local businesses.

“We as an organisation have to balance the powers we have to impose certain conditions on where people can protest and for how long with that fundamental democratic right to protest. We must always be asking ourselves in what circumstances the law actually allows us to impose these powers and whether or not it will either improve the situation or make it worse. We constantly keep this under review but I would say that experience has taught us that the best way to manage demonstrations is through negotiation and dialogue with the protestors, and I must stress that my officers have done a good job in challenging circumstances.”