MP George Galloway has branded Zionism “a blasphemy against Judaism and against God”, praised the legitimacy of Hamas and publicly called for the dismantling of Israel.

His comments, including a call for the outlawing of dual British-Israeli citizenship, came at a small anti-Israel demonstration in his Bradford constituency. He told 200 people: “We do not hate Jews. We hate Zionism, we hate Israel, we hate murder and injustice. Israel blasphemes against the Torah by calling itself a Jewish state.”

Anti-Israel protests in the north of England have been vociferous but supported by small numbers, with gatherings of between 50 to 150 in Sheffield Leeds and Birmingham last weekend and on Monday, and 30 people outside BBC offices in Liverpool.

In Manchester, several hundred marched in the centre. This passed off peacefully but without counter-demonstrators supporting Israel.