Chris Grayling, Leader of the House of Commons, told British MPs that Home Secretary Theresa May would be informed of concerns surrounding the display of Hezbollah flags at anti-Israel marches, reports the Jewish Chronicle.
Grayling's comments came after nearly 600 demonstrators on Sunday waved Hezbollah flags while participating in an annual anti-Israel Al Quds Day march throughout the streets of London.
Despite its designation as a terror organization in the UK and Europe, authorities did not interfere as yellow Hezbollah flags were waved in the air and worn as clothing garments, suggesting that it was “not unlawful.“
UK Conservative MP Matthew Offord, who addressed a counter-demonstration with Jewish community leaders who expressed dismay at people openly supporting the fundamentalist terror organization, raised the issue in Parliament on Thursday.
“The European Union, including the UK, recognizes the difference between the military and political wings of Hezbollah, but such a distinction does not appear to be recognized by the organization itself,” said Offord, who is a member of Conservative Friends of Israel.
“Therefore in the light of the confusion about the legality of demonstrators displaying Hezbollah flags on the streets of London last Sunday, can we have a statement on the legality of the display of Hezbollah flags?” Offord asked.
Grayling agreed with Offord and told the House that “If an organization is proscribed in the UK, it should not be able to publicize itself in the UK whether through flags, or placards, or anything else.”
“I will make sure the Home Secretary is aware of the concerns [Offord] raised. If an organization is illegal in the UK it should not manifest itself in the UK,” Grayling concluded.