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The UK's head Jewish cleric has declared that many members of the Jewish community and beyond are questioning the reason demonstrations like the ones against the prohibition on Palestine Action are allowed to continue.

Sir Ephraim Mirvis stated: “A portion include clear hatred of Jews, open backing toward Hamas. Not all participant, but exists so much of this, which proves undoubtedly dangerous to countless within our community.”

Talking before coming in Manchester last Friday to join those mourning the deaths of two victims in a terrorist attack at a synagogue, he highlighted an “urgent need for national introspection.”

The assault had occurred after what he described as a constant surge of hatred targeting Jewish people” on the nation's roads, colleges, online platforms and within some sections of news outlets, Mirvis told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

Pointing out the chant “internationalize the uprising” – considered by many as an appeal for violent acts against Jews – he remarked Britain had witnessed “in tragic detail” last Thursday what those words meant.

Referring again to his characterization as expressed in open areas and online, he said: “A great deal of it is so hateful and also, when we see the unjustified demonisation regarding Israel that contributes straight into hostility toward Jews in the atmosphere across the nation and that then encourages extremism. Our government needs to be mindful of this.”

In response to queries concerning protests organized by advocates for Palestine demanding a cessation to hostilities in the Gaza Strip and rallies advocating for the revocation of restrictions on the banned group the activist network Palestine Action, he responded that “a large part” of such activities are harmful to many within the nation.

“Since October 7th, 2023 there have been numerous individuals who have questioned for what purpose those protests are permitted to happen on our streets.”

“One cannot divide the speech on our streets, the behaviors of participants in such manner and the results necessarily occur … These factors are directly linked and so we urge the government once more to take control on these demonstrations as they are risky.”

Religious figures also hold a particular duty to play, the chief rabbi remarked, adding: “It is vital to discuss regarding restraining our mouths, the opinions that we express, how we express those views and likewise a spiritual figure must encourage unity and tranquility on our streets and within households.”

His remarks came as the president from Israel, Isaac Herzog, stated that the day was a “awful day” for the Jewish community in Britain, Britain at large, and the Jewish community around the globe.

“It’s a stark warning of what we’ve been alerting for a long while, that this surge of hatred toward Jews and anti-Jewish feelings across the globe ultimately leads to violence,” he remarked to LBC radio.

Within the group urging more official steps on antisemitism was former executive Danny Cohen, the former controller at the BBC channel, who commented to Times Radio it is necessary to have a national investigation regarding anti-Jewish sentiment established straightaway” as “something has become deeply troubled within the nation, and it demands urgently addressing.”