I am firmly opposed to anti-Semitism wherever it manifests, and I wholeheartedly condemn the abhorrent anti-Semitic statements to which you refer. It is clear that nobody who claims to take anti-Semitism seriously should associate themselves with this march.
As you rightly state, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are precious rights in this country, and I believe we should only limit those rights in extreme cases and with extreme caution. I trust that the Home Secretary will look into the option of banning the march and come to the right decision.
I also fully condemn the glorification of Hezbollah at this march. Hezbollah are a violent, hateful, and anti-Semitic organisation that has been a destabilising force both in Lebanon and across the region. It has been involved in terrorism, it has targeted civilians in Israel, and it has intervened to prop up the tyrant Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
I understand that, at present, Hezbollah’s military wing, but not their political wing, is proscribed as a terrorist group, which creates a loophole allowing Hezbollah flags to be waved. I appreciate that Hezbollah’s prominent position in Lebanese politics, which was reaffirmed in recent elections there, may complicate matters, and that this is why the UK Government has refrained from proscribing Hezbollah altogether.
I hope and expect that the UK Government will be continually reassessing this stance as it monitors Hezbollah’s activities in Lebanon and beyond.