Ten minutes of loud accusations of being “promoters of genocide” and having “blood on their hands” left a British MP fearing for his safety as he decided to show support for Israel in its war with Hamas.
The opposition Labor member, who almost touched noses with his accuser before walking away and warning him to call the police, said the incident in a town in his constituency was just the latest of several that had prompted him to change his behaviour.
He now makes sure he sits near the door when taking public transport and limits his meetings with the public.
“It feels like it might just take a spark to escalate from someone giving you two pennies (criticism) on the street to actual violence,” the lawmaker said.
More than a dozen British politicians interviewed by Reuters said abuses against them had become worse after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 triggered the war in Gaza. At least some have cited this as a factor in the decision not to seek a new term in parliament at elections later this year.
All requested anonymity, saying they feared that revealing their names would increase threats and abuse.
The conflict in the Palestinian enclave has heightened global tensions, with protesters taking to the streets in support of both sides and leaders divided over how to end the bloodshed.
In Britain, even politicians who are often reviled by the public say the tone has become ugly and dangerous, with some fearing it could easily descend into violence.
Many people are considering taking steps to protect themselves, such as wearing stab-resistant vests during meetings or setting up safe rooms.
Parliament was thrown into chaos last week when Speaker Lindsay Hoyle broke with precedent and allowed the three main parties to clarify their positions on calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. The aim is to prevent lawmakers from having to choose between supporting a ceasefire, abstaining or voting against complying with partisan orders.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak called on all parties to “de-escalate” the issue, but some of his Conservative MPs were accused of Islamophobia in their responses. They deny the accusation.
The Home Office announced 31 million pounds ($39 million) on Wednesday to provide new security rules for lawmakers and other officials. It will be used to protect “democratic processes from undermining”, it said.
Even as last week’s bitter ceasefire vote ended and the level of abuses eased, some lawmakers decided to quit, saying the threats had become intolerable. The memory of two MPs – one killed by a right-wing extremist in 2016 and the other in 2021 by a man inspired by ISIS – weighs heavy on the memory.
‘poisonous’
Conservative MP Mike Freer, who saw his office in his north London constituency attacked by a suspected arson attack in December, said he would withdraw from the election after a “successive incident”. He defended Israel.
Earlier this month, dozens of protesters demonstrated outside the home of another Conservative MP, Tobias Ellwood, holding signs accusing him of being “complicit in genocide” in Gaza.
A Labor MP now observing his seat on public transport said police advised him to install partitions in his constituency or polling area office so people waiting to see him could not approach him quickly.
He described a massive, coordinated email campaign targeting him and others. The emails were sent from different addresses ahead of the February 21 ceasefire vote, which is not binding on the government, asking lawmakers to vote for an immediate ceasefire and calling on ministers to suspend arms sales to Israel.
Another councilman said he had discussed installing a safe room in his home with his wife.
“No one should think about having a safe room just because they want to serve the community,” he said.
There are times when public anger means lawmakers are on the front lines, such as when Britain leaves the EU, but the threat of violence in Gaza signals things are getting worse, a senior politician says.
“Two colleagues and I have discussed wearing stab vests to meetings,” he said. “This is a recent development.”