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Agence France-Presse

Police said on Sunday they were investigating a suspected arson at a mosque in southern England as a “hate crime”, days after a fatal attack on a synagogue.
Officers were called to the incident at the mosque in the southern coast town of Peacehaven late on Saturday.
While no one was injured, the fire caused damage to the mosque’s front entrance and a car parked outside.
In the wake of the attack, Sussex Police shared images of two masked men dressed in dark clothing and appealed for help from the public to identify them.

Detective Inspector Gavin Patch branded the fire an “appalling and reckless attack which we know will have left many people feeling less safe”.
“We are treating this as an arson with intent to endanger life and are continuing to pursue a number of lines of inquiry to identify those responsible,” said Patch.
The fire follows an attack on a synagogue in the northern city of Manchester on Thursday in which two people died and three others were seriously injured, with officers drawing a potential link to Islamist extremism.
A spokesman for the Peacehaven mosque said “we are profoundly grateful that no one was injured”, calling for “everyone to reject division and respond to hate with unity and compassion”.
“This hateful act does not represent our community or our town,” the spokesman said.
Interior minister Shabana Mahmood called the attack “deeply concerning”.

“Attacks against Britain’s Muslims are attacks against all Britons and this country itself,” Mahmood said on social media.
Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, also condemned the mosque fire, appealing for greater solidarity.
“Every faith community has the right to worship free from fear. Our country is better than this,” Rosenberg said.
“Over recent weeks there has been a lot of focus on how we have become a divided kingdom. But we are the United Kingdom. And we need to move forward against hate together.”
Also on Sunday, the British government said police will get stronger powers to restrict repeated protests after almost 500 people were arrested at a demonstration in support of a banned pro-Palestinian group.
The Home Office said police forces will be able to consider the “cumulative impact of frequent protests” on local areas when they impose conditions on marches and demonstrations.

“The right to protest is a fundamental freedom in our country,” Mahmood said. “However, this freedom must be balanced with the freedom of their neighbours to live their lives without fear.
“Large, repeated protests can leave sections of our country, particularly religious communities, feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared to leave their homes.”
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been held regularly since the start of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, which has so far killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry that is part of the Hamas-run government.
British police and politicians had urged protesters to stay at home this weekend after Thursday’s attack on the Manchester synagogue. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said organisers should “recognise and respect the grief of British Jews this week” and postpone.
But on Saturday, about 1,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square to protest against the banning of Palestine Action, a direct-action group that has vandalised British military planes and targeted sites with links to the Israeli military.
It has been labelled a terrorist organisation by the government, making support for the group illegal.
Critics say the government is restricting free speech and the right to protest.
Additional reporting by Associated Press


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Britain

UK police investigate mosque fire as ‘hate crime’ days after Manchester synagogue attack

Sussex Police shared images of masked men dressed in dark clothing and appealed for help from the public to identify them. Photo: Sussex Police via dpa

A worker cleans in front of the Manchester synagogue, where people were killed last Thursday. Photo: Reuters

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer visit the site of the Manchester synagogue attack last week. Photo: Reuters

Police arrest a supporter of the banned Palestine Action group in Trafalgar Square in London, Britain on Saturday. Photo: EPA

UK police shoot dead 1 in Manchester synagogue terror attack

Members of the Jewish community comfort each other near to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester on Thursday. Photo: PA via AP

A bomb disposal technician secures evidence. Photo: Reuters

An armed police officer speaks to a member of the public near the scene. Photo: AP

A forensic technician at the scene. Photo: Reuters

Starmer says UK will not tolerate racial intimidation after far-right London rally

Police officers clash with supporters of British anti-immigration activist Tommy Robinson, during a demonstration in London on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Protesters hold a banner during the march at the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally. Photo: SOPA Images via Zuma Press Wire / dpa

Dozens arrested at latest UK protest for banned group Palestine Action

Police officers detain a demonstrator on the day of the “Lift The Ban” rally organised by Defend Our Juries, challenging the British government’s proscription of “Palestine Action” under anti-terrorism laws, in Parliament Square, in London on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Demonstrators attend the “Lift The Ban” rally, challenging the British government’s proscription of “Palestine Action” under anti-terrorism laws, in Parliament Square, in London on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

UK police arrest scores of supporters of banned group Palestine Action

Police officers detain a protester during a demonstration in London on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Police officers carry away a protester in support of the Palestine Action group in London on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Protesters clash with police at Tommy Robinson’s 110,000-strong far-right rally in London

Protesters hold a picture of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot while speaking in Utah, at an anti-immigration rally in London on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Police confront supporters of British anti-immigration activist Tommy Robinson in London on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Supporters of British far-right activist Tommy Robinson march through London on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Members of the campaign group Stand Up to Racism demonstrate in London on Saturday against a rally organised by the British anti-immigration activist Tommy Robinson. Photo: Reuters

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World

Europe

Arson in town of Peacehaven follows a fatal synagogue assault in Manchester, which police linked to potential Islamist extremism


Arson in town of Peacehaven follows a fatal synagogue assault in Manchester, which police linked to potential Islamist extremism.
