Labour MP Zarah Sultana has issued a stark warning about the safety of political activists after pro-Israel demonstrators targeted the homes of pro-Palestinian campaigners in a concerning escalation of tactics.
The Coventry South MP revealed that activists supporting Palestine have had their personal addresses published online and circulated among protest groups, creating what she describes as "an environment of fear and intimidation."
Police Response Under Scrutiny
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Sultana expressed deep frustration with police handling of the situation. "If individuals can travel from Tel Aviv to intimidate British citizens at their homes, and our police fail to act decisively, we must question whose safety is being prioritised," she stated.
The MP highlighted the stark contrast between police responses to different protest groups, noting that while environmental activists face swift action, those targeting private residences appear to operate with impunity.
Growing Concerns Over Activist Safety
The incidents have raised serious questions about the protection of political campaigners in the UK. Sultana emphasised that publishing personal addresses—a practice known as doxxing—creates genuine safety risks for individuals and their families.
"When protestors show up at people's homes, they're not engaging in legitimate political discourse—they're engaging in intimidation," the MP told Parliament.
Call for Equal Protection
Sultana's intervention comes amid growing tension around protest policing in the UK. She argued that all activists, regardless of their political stance, deserve equal protection under the law.
"The right to protest is fundamental, but so is the right to feel safe in your own home," she asserted, calling for consistent enforcement of laws protecting private residences from targeted demonstrations.
The Home Office has yet to issue a formal response to the MP's concerns, but the matter is expected to receive further parliamentary attention in coming weeks.
