UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer seemingly promised to ban Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the “next parliament” during a visit to a synagogue in London that was the subject of an arson attack.
Speaking alongside Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis at the Kenton United Synagogue, Starmer said he was “very worried” about the influence of Iran-backed groups carrying out attacks in the UK.
A suspected Iran-linked group has been blamed for the attack on the Kenton synagogue, while two teenagers – a 17-year-old and a 19-year-old – have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Asked at the synagogue about the prospect of banning the IRGC, Starmer said that “in relation to malign state actors more generally, proscription, we do need legislation in order to take necessary measures, and that is legislation that we’re bringing forward as soon as we can”.
“We go into a new session in a few weeks’ time, and we’ll bring that legislation forward,” he said.
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There have been a number of antisemitic attacks on Jewish cultural and religious centres in recent weeks, raising concerns about the safety of the UK’s Jewish community.
A number of commentators and officials have linked the attacks to Iran and the fallout from the US-Israeli war on the country.
An online group called Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia has claimed responsibility for the attacks, though its links to Iran and authenticity have been questioned.
“Obviously, there’s been a claim here by an Iranian-backed group… And that’s why, first of all, it’s very important that our police, our counter-terrorism police work very closely with the community and with CST [Community Security Trust] so that we can take the necessary criminal justice action,” Starmer said, referring to the Jewish community organisation.
“Obviously, there have been a number of arrests already, I think eight people charged, one convicted. It’s very important that we’re able to show the criminal justice system can react effectively and efficiently here.”
Middle East Eye contacted the Home Office to confirm whether steps were already being taken to proscribe the IRGC, but had received no response at the time of publication.
MEE also asked the Iranian embassy in London for comment.
Starmer’s visit to the synagogue comes two weeks before local elections across the UK, at which the Labour Party is expected to face widespread losses across the country to the left-wing Green Party, right-wing Reform UK and various regional nationalist parties.
Coupled with the ongoing scandal over the appointment of Jeffrey Epstein associate Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US, there are many reports in the British media predicting Starmer could be pressured to resign after the results of the election are released.
A range of issues have contributed to the collapse in support for Labour, among them the government’s support for Israel during the genocide in Gaza.
