Fears of UK Islamic extremist ‘revival’ in wake of Gaza unrest

A CONTROVERSIAL Islamic group accused of extremism is seeking to ‘revive itself ’ in the wake of the recent clashes in the Middle East.

Experts say that Hizb ut-Tahrir – which means ‘Party of Liberation’ and first emerged in Britain in the 1980s – has launched a recruitment drive at protests and demonstrations around the UK.

Hizb ut-Tahrir is banned in more than 40 countries and both Tony

Blair and David Cameron considered banning the group during their premierships, but were reportedly advised by police chiefs that it could become more radical if forced underground.

The organisation has largely vanished from view in recent years, but has begun mobilising again since renewed violence in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict last month, focused on Gaza.

Senior members in the UK have given recent fiery speeches that experts believe are antisemitic and may even break the law. Some, calling for supporters in Muslim countries to launch counter-attacks against Israel and remove the ‘Zionist entity’, were filmed and posted on social media.

In one, which appeared last month, a man interviewed during a Hizb ut-Tahrir event in Bolton, says: ‘The solution is very simple, jihad fi sabillillah [jihad in the cause of God].

‘ We have armies, we have tanks, we have soldiers, what are they waiting for? If this goes out to the Muslim armies, what are you waiting for? Jihad is the responsibility on you, wipe out the Zionist entity.’

The group also held a rally at a park near t he East London Mosque in Whitechapel, where speakers urged Muslim armies to attack Israel.

Similar rallies were held in Ilford and Walthamstow, two areas of East London that have large Muslim communities, and in Birmingham.

Scotland Yard last night said: ‘We are aware of a number of videos posted on social media showing speeches made about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Officers are reviewing these videos to determine whether further investigation is required.’

Hizb ut-Tahrir did not respond to a request for comment but has previously insisted that it is a non-violent organisation.