Iran has means to stir up violence on British streets, warns Government’s counter-extremism tsar
IRAN has the means to stir up violence on British streets, the government’s counter-extremism tsar warns today.
Robin Simcox will also blast prominent UK figures who have helped fuel evil Hamas ideology by “praising” its leaders and “excusing” its barbarism.
He will single out Iran – which sponsors the Gaza-based terrorists – as a serious threat with the capacity to both incite attacks and spread extremism on British soil.
The Islamic regime in Tehran has been quick to hail the brutal invasion on its sworn enemy Israel.
As the Home Office’s adviser on tackling extremism, Mr Simcox is demanding politicians “confront reality” of the home-based risks following a wave of anti-Israel protests.
In a speech at the Royal United Services Institute, he will say that support for Hamas “does not carry the stigma that support for other terrorist groups does”.
He will say: “Terrorist attacks on Israel are seen as not only more justifiable than attacks on other countries; but, to some, a cause for celebration.”
And he will add that “too often, support for Palestinian rights has translated into rhetoric supportive of Hamas” and that “too many in positions of prominence have praised them or their leadership or sought to rationalise or excuse their acts of terror.”
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn memorably referred to Hamas as his “friends” in 2009.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has ordered police to arrest pro-Palestine protesters where they are seen to glorify the terrorism or support Hamas monsters.
Mr Simcox will also use his first remarks in the role to sound the alarm on people trying to impose “a de facto blasphemy code” around any criticism of religious prophets.
As well as warning of the ongoing challenge of Islamist ideology, he will also update on concerns about the extreme right and left.