Police Apologize for Threatening Antisemitism Campaigner with Arrest at Pro-Palestinian March

Metropolitan Police have issued an apology after a video surfaced showing officers threatening an antisemitism campaigner with arrest near a pro-Palestinian march in London. Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was wearing a kippah skull cap when he was stopped from crossing the road near the demonstration.

In the video, a police officer can be heard telling 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.” Another officer is heard saying, “You will be escorted out of this area so you can go about your business, go where you want freely or if you choose to remain here because you are causing a breach of peace with all these other people, you will be arrested.”

Met Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist has called the officer’s choice of words “hugely regrettable” and apologized for the incident. He stated, “The video posted by the Campaign Against Antisemitism will further dent the confidence of many Jewish Londoners which is the opposite of what any of us want.”

Falter expressed his disappointment with the police’s handling of the situation, stating, “Despite being told repeatedly that London is safe for Jews when these marches are taking place, my interactions with police officers last Saturday show that the Met believes that being openly Jewish will antagonize the anti-Israel marchers and that Jews need protection, which the police cannot guarantee.”

The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the treatment of Jewish individuals in London during pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The Met Police have promised to review their policies and ensure that all Londoners, regardless of their background, feel safe and protected in the city.