The government says being Jewish “should never be seen as provocative” after a controversial policing incident at a pro-Palestinian march in London.
Scotland Yard had to apologize twice after an officer stopped an anti-Semitic activist from crossing the road at a demonstration because he was “openly Jewish”.
A video shows a police officer using the word He spoke to Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, who was wearing a kippah, near a protest in the Aldwych area of London on the afternoon of Saturday 13 April.
He was also threatened with arrest if he did not leave the area.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist offered an initial apology on behalf of the Metropolitan Police, saying the officer’s use of the phrase was “very regrettable”, but said Mr Falter’s appearance was “provocative” and that releasing the video would “further eroding the confidence” of many Jewish Londoners.
The response prompted further criticism, with Mr Falter accusing the group of “victim blaming” and arguing that it was “every Jew’s right” to walk freely in London.
In the face of backlash, the Met later deleted the statement and apologized again for causing “further offense”.
Police said: “Being Jewish is not a provocation. Jewish Londoners must be able to feel safe in this city.”
“Our commitment to protecting the public extends to all communities in London.
“It is important that our public statements reflect this more clearly than they do today.”
Read more from Sky News:
Police investigate Joey Barton’s tweets
Ex-model nearly died trying to treat cancer with juice diet
It is understood that Home Secretary James Cleverly has written to the Met and London Mayor Sadiq Khan regarding the incident.
A Home Office spokesman said: “We welcome the Met Police’s apology and recognize the complexities of sustaining a rapidly evolving public protest, but simply being Jewish – or a person of any other race or religion – should never be regarded as a provocation.
“Anyone of any religion should live freely and feel safe.”
Wherever you get your podcasts, click to subscribe to Sky News Daily
Mr Khan’s spokesman said: “Everyone must feel safe wherever they want to go in London.
“The way the Met handled the initial incident is concerning and their initial response was insensitive and wrong.
“The Met has an extremely difficult job, particularly when it comes to policing decisions about operations at marches, but ultimately the Met must have the trust of the communities they serve that it is right that they apologize for the way the incident was dealt with and that they Initial public response.”
Follow Sky News for all the latest news from the UK and around the world
Mr Falter said he had been walking in the capital after attending a synagogue and that he was not doing so as a counter-protest when he walked past the demonstrators on Saturday.
The video shows a police officer telling him: “You are openly Jewish, this is a pro-Palestinian march and I am not accusing you of anything but I am worried about the reaction to your presence.”
In the video, another officer tells him: “There’s a group of people here right now.
“You will be escorted out of the area so you can go about your business and be free to go where you want, or if you choose to stay here you will be arrested as you disturb the peace for all others ”
The official said Mr Falter’s presence was “offensive”.
The anti-Semitism campaigner said after the incident: “Although people were repeatedly told that London was safe for Jews at the time of these marches, my interaction with police last Saturday showed that the Met considered public Being Jewish angers anti-Israel marchers, and Jews need protection, but police cannot guarantee that.
“Rather than address the threat of anti-Semitic violence, the Met’s policy seems to suggest that law-abiding Jewish Londoners should not be present in the areas of London where these marches are held. In other words, these areas are no-go areas for Jews.” “
Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in London on Saturday, calling for a ceasefire and urging the government to stop all arms sales to Israel.
The crowd waved Palestinian flags, chanted “Free Palestine” and held signs calling for an “immediate ceasefire.”
Follow us on Google news ,Twitter , and Join Whatsapp Group of thelocalreport.in