Leader of the House of Commons, Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling MP underlined in Parliament this week that the Lebanese terror organisation Hezbollah “should not be allowed to publicise itself in the UK, whether through flags, placards or anything else”.
Mr Grayling said in response to a question from MP for Hendon and CFI Officer, Dr Matthew Offord: “I agree with my hon. Friend that if an organisation is proscribed in the UK, it should not be allowed to publicise itself in the UK, whether through flags, placards or anything else. I will ensure that the Home Secretary is aware of the concerns he raises. If an organisation is illegal in the UK, it should not manifest itself in the UK”.
Dr Offord MP had asked: “The European Union, including the United Kingdom, recognises a difference between the military and political wings of Hezbollah, but such a distinction does not appear to be recognised by the organisation itself. Therefore, in the light of the confusion about the legality of demonstrators displaying Hezbollah flags on the streets of London last Sunday, may we have a statement on the legality of displaying them and any flag associated with a proscribed terrorist organisation?”
On Sunday, Hezbollah flags were flown at an Al-Quds Day march near the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square.
However, police did not act to prevent the display of Hezbollah flags, whose military wing is defined as a terrorist group by the UK Government.
A counter-demonstration of around 500 pro-Israel activists called for “Peace not Hate” as the Al-Quds Day marchers gathered outside the US Embassy.
