The policing minister has voiced his deep concern following an incident where a Metropolitan Police officer referred to an antisemitism campaigner as "openly Jewish" during a pro-Palestine
march. Gideon Falter, the chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was wearing a kippah skull-cap when he was stopped and threatened with arrest in the Aldwych area of London on April 13.
Chris Philp, the minister, stated that he would meet with Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to address his worries. He emphasized that no individual should be told their religion is provocative, nor should an innocent person face arrest due to another person's anticipated reaction.
The Metropolitan Police issued two apologies for the officer's remarks, initially retracting their first apology after facing criticism for victim-blaming. In their second statement, the Met acknowledged that "being Jewish is not a provocation" and reiterated their apology, emphasizing the need for Jewish Londoners to feel safe in the city.
In a video captured at the march, the officer remarked to Mr. Falter, "You are quite openly Jewish, this is a pro-Palestinian march. I'm not accusing you of anything but I'm worried about the reaction to your presence."
A spokesperson for the Home Office stressed that individuals of any religion should be able to feel safe and free to go about their lives without fear. Home Secretary James Cleverly has reportedly written to both the Met and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan regarding the incident.
Protesters had gathered in London to call for a ceasefire and to urge the UK government to halt all arms sales to Israel. Mr. Falter clarified that he was not there to counter-protest but was walking in the city after attending synagogue. He expressed his concerns about the Met's handling of the incident, stating that instead of addressing the threat of antisemitic violence, the Met's policy appeared to suggest that law-abiding Jewish Londoners should avoid areas where such marches take place.
The Metropolitan Police has faced criticism for their handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations since the renewal of hostilities in Gaza last October. Prime Minister Suella Braverman previously stated that the Jewish community had been "let down by the authorities" during a Commons debate in February. Photo by Callum Darragh, Wikimedia commons.