Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to proscribe Iran's Revolutionary Guards by introducing legislation in the next session of parliament in July. Speaking after a visit to a synagogue in north-west London that was targeted in an arson attack, he said he wanted to make Britain a country where the Jewish community feels safe.
The visit to Kenton united synagogue in Harrow came after a 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to arson not endangering life in connection with the attack, which caused minor smoke damage but no injuries. An Iran-linked group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, claimed responsibility.
In an interview with the Jewish Chronicle, Starmer said he was very worried about the increasing use of proxy agents by the Iranian regime. He confirmed that legislation to enable the proscription of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) would be brought forward in a few weeks for the start of the parliamentary session in July.
The government is expected to introduce legislation giving proscription-like powers to address state-sponsored groups such as the IRGC in the next king's speech. The EU listed the IRGC as a terrorist organisation in January, citing its role in suppressing protests.
Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, welcomed the decision, noting that communal partners had long called for the move. The pledge follows a series of arson attacks at Jewish sites and a surge in antisemitic incidents since the 7 October attacks.
