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The UK's head Jewish cleric has stated that countless members of the Jewish community and beyond are asking why protests such as those against the prohibition against Palestine Action are allowed to proceed.

Chief Rabbi Sir Mirvis stated: “Certain ones of them feature overt anti-Jewish sentiment, blatant support of Hamas. Not each individual, but there is a great deal of these actions, which proves clearly hazardous to countless across the nation.”

Addressing before coming to Manchester this Friday to stand with the bereaved the loss of two men during a terror incident near a synagogue, he highlighted a pressing requirement for national soul-searching.”

The attack had occurred in the wake of what he termed a constant surge of hostility targeting Jewish people” throughout Britain’s streets, campuses, digital networks and within some sections in the press, Mirvis informed the BBC's Today show.

Highlighting the phrase “spread the intifada worldwide” – which many view as an incitement for violent acts against Jews – he stated the nation had witnessed “with tragic clarity” this past Thursday the meaning of those words.

Coming back to his characterization as broadcast on public grounds and on the internet, he commented: “A great deal of it is extremely hostile and furthermore, when there is the unjustified demonisation toward Israel that contributes right into hostility toward Jews within the tone of Britain which then fosters extremist behavior. Our government should take note of this.”

Upon questioning concerning protests staged by pro-Palestinian groups calling for a cessation to the war in the Gaza Strip and marches supporting the revocation of the ban on the banned group the group Palestine Action, he answered that “so much” of these actions were risky to countless across the UK.

“Since the 7th of October last year there are countless citizens who have wondered why those protests are permitted to take place in public spaces.”

“It is impossible to disconnect the words on our streets, the actions of people like this and what necessarily occur … These factors are closely connected and therefore we call on leaders once more to take control over these protests because they are risky.”

Religious figures also had a specific role to play, the senior rabbi added, noting: “We must speak regarding restraining our mouths, the perspectives we share, the way we communicate those views and also a spiritual figure ought to foster unity and tranquility on our streets and within households.”

His remarks coincided with the leader of Israel, Isaac Herzog, declared that Thursday represented a “horrific day” for the Jewish community in Britain, the nation as a whole, and the Jewish community throughout the world.

“It’s a shocking reminder about what we have been cautioning for a long while, that this surge of hatred toward Jews and hostility to Jews worldwide at the end results in bloodshed,” he told LBC radio.

Among those calling for more official steps toward combating antisemitism were Danny Cohen, the ex-executive from BBC One, who stated on Times Radio it is necessary to have a countrywide review into antisemitism set up immediately” because “an issue has become seriously flawed within the nation, and it requires immediate attention.”