Sky News captured a tense, lengthy confrontation between police and an anti-Semitic activist who was described as an “open Jew” and threatened with arrest at a pro-Palestinian march.

The video provides context for a long and fraught exchange in an increasingly unstable atmosphere, Met police chief faces calls to resign after incident.

Scotland Yard I already had to apologize twice afterwards. Short video clips surfaced on social mediaGideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was stopped at a protest in London’s Aldwych area on Saturday 13 April by an officer close to the protest.

The Met’s assistant commissioner Matt Twist’s initial apology had to be withdrawn after it suggested the appearance of Mr Falter, wearing a Kepa toque, was “provocative” and led to Condemnation from the Interior Ministry.

In the Sky News footage, the activist insisted he was simply trying to cross a road where demonstrators were passing, but a police officer in the new footage disputes this, saying Mr Falter deliberately walked head-on into the crowd, accusing him of “Dishonest” and trying to “confront” the marchers.

Sky News decided not to reveal the identity of the official.

Expand communication

As emotions continue to rise Israel and Hamas War exist GazaSky News footage showed a Metropolitan police officer explaining to Mr Falter that it was a “big demonstration” and preventing him from joining the march.

When Mr Falter asked if that was because he was Jewish, the officer nodded and said “unfortunately”.

“Unfortunately, sir, you walked off the sidewalk into the middle of a pro-Palestinian march without permission, and that’s why I asked you to leave,” the officer said.

“You’re trying to fight that,” he added.

“So I’ve read your mind, sir.”

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Mr Falter said: “My mentality? My mentality is, I’m a Jew in London and I can go wherever I want.”

The officer then said: “Sir, please don’t be so hypocritical.”

Mr Falter said: “I’m not being hypocritical, I can go anywhere I want.

“If I want to go out on the sidewalk, that’s what I’m going to do, you’re going to have to arrest me.”

“I’d rather not do that,” the official said.

“I want to get out of here, I want to get over there,” Mr Falter said.

The officer then said, “I’m telling you, come with me and we’ll get you out of here. If that’s what you want, then come on.”

“You have to walk a long way to get you here – there are too many people.”

Mr Falter said: “Why can’t I go where I want to go?”

“Because there were large demonstrations,” the officer said.

He added: “I’m going to take you out and you can go. You can see all the Israeli flags over there and I’m going to take you over there.”

“I don’t walk with an Israeli flag or any flag,” Mr. Falter said.

The officer responded, “I’m not asking you to go with them, but I’m taking you that way.”

Asking the officer to “listen to me for a moment”, Mr Falter said: “The Metropolitan Police have said these marches are completely safe for Jews and there are no issues whatsoever.

“You’re telling me I can’t go to the other sidewalk. I have to be escorted by you.”

“I’m telling you, I’m going to escort you out there and help you so you’re going to be completely safe, just like we promised, so we keep our word,” the officer said.

Mr Falter said: “I’m basically safe only if I have a police escort, is that what you’re telling me?”

The officer said, “I give it to you, sir.

“I have seen you intentionally leave the sidewalk and oppose the march. You chose to do this.”

“I was trying to get to the other side of the road,” Mr Falter said.

Amid the ongoing exchanges, a raucous march continued in the background, with protesters holding placards and chanting “Palestine will be free.”

‘confrontation’

After several exchanges, Mr. Falter asked if he was being stopped from crossing the street because he was Jewish because it would “irritate” the crowd.

“You are clearly Jewish in appearance and you outwardly display your faith,” the official said.

He added: “You decided to walk onto the road… deliberately going against the flow of people.

“This was clearly a pro-Palestinian demonstration. My concern is that your behavior has changed.

“Initially you were on the pavement, causing no problems. Then you decided to enter the road and instead of crossing, you walked against the flow of people.”

Mr Falter said: “What are you talking about? I was crossing the road.”

The policeman then said, “I’m sorry, which word did you not understand? You were walking against the flow of people.”

“That’s why I want you to move to the sidewalk.”

When Mr Falter asked if he could cross the road if he took off his kippah, the officer said he would not because he was not sure he would not put it back on.

An unidentified man can then be heard saying: “Guys, you’re running in circles now.”

Threat of arrest

The activist then spoke to another police officer, who said he would be arrested if he stayed.

He was told that his presence was “against” a large group of people and “if they attack you, we won’t be able to deal with all of them”.

The officer said: “You deliberately tried to get through the crowd.

“I look at what you’re doing and you’re following a straight line through them.”

Pointing to the other side of the march, the officer added: “When the route here doesn’t give you any resistance, confrontational action is what you do.”

Mr Falter reiterated that he wanted to cross the road because someone could be heard shouting “baby killer”.

He again walked onto the sidewalk where protesters had gathered, holding flags and placards, causing an officer to restrain him with his arms.

In addition to slogans of “Palestine will be free”, there were also shouts of “Shame on you” and “Scum”.

The original police chief asked Mr. Falter: “Where do you want to go now? You’re still going the wrong way.”

As the situation appeared to become more volatile, the officer again offered to escort Mr Falter away, while he continued to protest to police, saying they were failing to deal with protesters who were “behaving badly”.

Pro-Palestinian protesters, some wearing masks, chanted to Mr. Falter: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Some pro-Israel supporters believe the slogan is a way to call for the annihilation of the Israeli state. Some pro-Palestinian supporters objected, saying it simply expressed the historical need for equality for all residents of Palestine.