The Met’s handling of Pro-Palestine marches, which have continued throughout the Israel-Hamas conflict, has come under fresh scrutiny after an incident last Saturday when officers threatened to arrest a man they described as “openly Jewish” for walking in central London during a rally.
An officer had suggested that the presence of Mr Falter, the chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was “provocative” and that he was “antagonising” protesters in central London. He was later warned by a second officer that he would be arrested if he did not leave the location.
On Friday, the force was forced to issue an apology for a statement issued by Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, one of the Met’s most senior officers, who said that being present when marches were taking place could be “provocative”, in comments that were described as “victim blaming”.
Last night Sir Mark issued another apology.
“Every member of the Met is determined to ensure that London is a city in which everyone feels safe,” he said.
“We absolutely understand how vulnerable Jewish and Muslim Londoners feel since the terrorist attacks on Israel.
“Some of our actions have increased this concern. I personally reiterate our apology from earlier this week.
“Today, as with every other day, our officers will continue to police with courage, empathy and impartiality.”
Perception force is ‘institutionally anti-Semitic’
However, Gary Mond, chairman of the National Jewish Assembly, said: “The buck stops at the top and if Rowley is not prepared to properly police the demonstrations, he has to go and be replaced by someone who can.”
He added that there was a perception within Britain’s Jewish community that the force was “institutionally anti-Semitic” and called for a Macpherson-style review, which followed in the wake of the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993.
Mr Dowden told The Telegraph that the police “have a hugely difficult job and we should all acknowledge that” but said that Sadiq Khan, London’s mayor, had shown “indifference” rather than “solidarity”.
His criticism of the Met Police’s treatment of Jews was echoed by Lord Pickles, the former communities secretary, who said the force’s “blinkered attitude to public order is endangering British Jews”.
He said the Met had been “confused, leaderless and useless throughout the whole of the demonstrations. They have lost their moral compass and need to urgently reassess their attitude towards anti-Semitism”.
Paul Scully MP, a former London minister, said the Met’s approach to policing protests risked “inflaming” tensions in the capital.
“If you get community policing wrong it risks leading to a breakdown in anti-social behaviour and you end up with New York in the Seventies – a Gotham City scenario,” he said.
“It may sound extreme but it is the cumulative impact of not treating communities equally and not policing protests properly. That can lead to community fault lines and it has an impact on things like tourism and investment.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
