The power has apologised after footage emerged of officers threatening an antisemitism campaigner with arrest close to a pro-Palestinian march and describing him as “brazenly Jewish”.
Gideon Falter, chief govt of the Marketing campaign Towards Antisemitism, was sporting a kippah cranium cap when he was stopped from crossing the street close to the demonstration in London on Saturday afternoon.
Video confirmed a police officer telling him: “You might be fairly brazenly Jewish, this can be a pro-Palestinian march, I am not accusing you of something however I am fearful in regards to the response to your presence.”
Mr Falter stated he had been strolling within the capital after attending synagogue and was not there to counter-protest.
Within the clip one other officer stated to him: “There is a unit of individuals right here now.
“You may be escorted out of this space so you may go about what you are promoting, go the place you need freely or for those who select to stay right here since you are inflicting a breach of peace with all these different folks, you may be arrested.”
Met Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist stated the officer’s “poor” alternative of phrases was “vastly regrettable”.
“The video posted by the Marketing campaign Towards Antisemitism will additional dent the arrogance of many Jewish Londoners which is the other of what any of us need,” he stated.
He criticised the usage of the time period “brazenly Jewish” and stated it was “completely not the idea on which we make choices”.
“It was a poor alternative of phrases and whereas not meant, we all know it’ll have triggered offence to many. We apologise.”
Mr Falter stated afterwards: “Regardless of being instructed repeatedly that London is secure for Jews when these marches are happening, my interactions with law enforcement officials final Saturday present that the Met believes that being brazenly Jewish will antagonise the anti-Israel marchers and that Jews want safety, which the police can’t assure.
“As an alternative of addressing that risk of antisemitic violence, the Met’s coverage as a substitute appears to be that law-abiding Jewish Londoners shouldn’t be within the elements of London the place these marches are happening. In different phrases, that they’re no-go zones for Jews.”
