Novikova Olga Nikolaevna – Ph.D. in History, Head of the Department of Europe and America, INION RAS
The article examines the impact of the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on British society, namely the exacerbation of the «Muslim question» in the United Kingdom. A general description of the protests in the UK after October 7, 2023 is given, and the slogans of the protesters are demonstrated and analyzed. The phenomenon of behavioral radicalization of the Muslim diaspora, associated with its conviction in the excessive use of force by the state of Israel against Muslims, is considered. The author shows the gradual evolution of the British counter-terrorism strategy CONTEST – and especially its part, the Prevent program, aimed at countering extremism, – towards a tougher approach. The new definition of extremism introduced in 2024 is analysed, which, among other things, shows that, due to the radicalisation of a certain part of the British Muslim diaspora, the British authorities regard it as an actual source of danger. Moreover, according to the adopted official documents, virtually the entire Muslim community in Great Britain can now be considered extremist. The UK’s counter-terrorism strategy is based on an ideological perspective: British values are the criterion of belonging to British society. The rejection of British values leads to radicalization, with the securitization of all those who do not share these values. The values and culture of the «other» are compromised: this is a manifestation of the historical and ongoing colonial approach of the British authorities. London’s current policy towards the Muslim diaspora is a continuation of the ideas and practices that were once used in the country’s colonies to exercise social control by the metropolis. The article raises the question of the possibility of transition from anti-Israeli demonstrations to terrorist acts. An unconventional view is presented that participation in non-violent extremist activism can be an antidote to participation in terrorist activities.
Great Britain, Muslim diaspora, radicalization, extremism, Prevent program, Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Download text