The Gaza war has had an unexpected fallout in the UK: Labour MP Tan Dhesi wrote on X that “in an increasingly tense time, abuse and death threats for MPs are damaging our fragile democracy. It will deter good people from public service and I fear the social media disinformation will lead to someone getting seriously injured, or worse killed.”
Dhesi had told the Guardian that he had been receiving death threats since last November when he abstained on a motion in Parliament calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The vote had been pushed by the Scottish National Party (SNP) when it tabled a motion calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer instructed his MPs to abstain on the amendment, though eight shadow ministers resigned to vote for it.
Other MPs say the abuse is targeted at those who have been vocal on the issue. Former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott who has a record of pro-Palestine support, wrote on X that she gets “more abuse and threats than most MPs. But the suggestion that police could close down peaceful demonstrations outside MP’s offices, town halls and Parliament is appalling. The first step towards a police state.”
The fear is increased by the fact that some politicians have already faced physical abuse. In a report in the Independent pro-Israel cabinet minister Michael Gove was mobbed by Palestinian supporters at Victoria Station on a Saturday on November 11. The incident took place at a protest rally held on Armistice Day.
Armistice Day marks the end of war between the allies and Germany in World War I. Rallies are held across the country with a two-minute silence to commemorate those who died in the war. Permission to hold a pro-Palestine rally on the same day has already raised tensions. It was also the biggest pro-Palestine rally in the country on record.
Threats of violence against MPs are not new. According to a Sky news report that since Brexit, British MPs have been given panic alarms in their offices to notify police if they are in danger.
But matters have escalated since the Gaza issue. According to local media reports, staffers have reported that many of them act as “bodyguards” walking in front and behind him or her. This is in response to the increasing amount of hate mail many of them receive on social media.
