The United Kingdom has seen some of the most demonstrations in favor of Palestine since the war in Israel began. This has led to a crisis within Rishi Sunak's cabinet. The British prime minister made the decision to dismiss Suella Braverman as home secretary after she wrote an opinion article in The Times criticizing police action in the protests.
Braverman accused police of not reacting the same way to pro-Palestine protesters, who "have been problematic, not just because of violence around the fringes but because of the highly offensive content of chants, posters and stickers," as she noted, as they have those protesting for other causes.
"Right-wing and nationalist protesters who engage in aggression are rightly met with a stern response yet pro-Palestinian mobs displaying almost identical behavior are largely ignored, even when clearly breaking the law?" asked the former home minister, and she confirmed in her article that active and retired police officers in service notice "this double standard" when it comes to dissipating violent people.
Chaos and violence in London
This weekend, during the commemoration of Armistice Day, pro-Palestinian demonstrators crossed the line with their protests, which became violenct against security forces and caused chaos in London.
Before being dismissed, Braverman went a step further with her statements against pro-Palestine protesters after seeing the violence they carried out this weekend in the British capital:
Our brave police officers deserve the thanks of every decent citizen for their professionalism in the face of violence and aggression from protesters and counter protesters in London yesterday. That multiple officers were injured doing their duty is an outrage. 1/3
— Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) November 12, 2023
David Cameron returns to the front line of politics
Braverman's dismissal is not the only reform within the British government. Sunak has appointed former Foreign Minister James Cleverly as the new home secretary. However, the most relevant change to the prime minister's cabinet is the return of David Cameron to the front line of politics after more than seven years away.
The former prime minister (he held the position from May 2010 until his resignation in July 2016 after Brexit) regains a senior position within the British government after being appointed as the new foreign minister, replacing Chancellor Cleverly.
The Rt Hon @David_Cameron has been appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs @FCDOGovUK pic.twitter.com/r9fL9dIgzs
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) November 13, 2023
Because he does not currently hold a seat in Parliament, Cameron will receive the distinction of lord to be able to hold office.
