The Metropolitan Police have launched a formal review after videos emerged showing antisemitic abuse directed at Jewish revellers during London's Pride march on Saturday. Footage widely shared online captures Jewish attendees being harassed and intimidated, with police officers seen watching on without making arrests.
In one clip, people holding Israeli and rainbow LGBT+ flags are told to “go back to your Zionist homeland” and subjected to shouts of “you kill Arab children, you kill gay children” in reference to the war in Gaza. A woman appears to shout “f*** you, Jews” following chants of “Free Palestine”, while another repeatedly asks “how many babies did they kill?” in reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
Police Response and Review
The Met have confirmed that a formal review is now underway to determine if hate crime offences, including religiously aggravated public order violations, occurred during the event. The force deployed around 650 officers at Pride to enforce a “zero tolerance” policy on hate crime and ensure attendees could “safely and securely” enjoy the event. Organisers reported over 35,000 participants representing more than 600 groups took part in Pride.
A Met spokesperson said: “We are aware of videos circulating online that show anti-Semitic verbal abuse directed towards attendees at the Pride in London event. Officers are currently reviewing footage to assess and investigate.”
Reactions from Campaign Against Antisemitism
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism called for the perpetrators to be identified and punished. They told The Telegraph: “The transition from ‘free Palestine’ to ‘f*** Jews’ is usually silent. This incident shows it loudly and explicitly. It’s incredible, not to mention depressing, how many people still trip over themselves to apologise for and defend the extremism of the ‘Free Palestine’ movement. The authorities need to recognise it for what it is. That can start with identifying and punishing the perpetrators of this incident. Jewish people have given up expecting to be included in so-called inclusive movements, but they should still be entitled to the same protections under the law as everybody else.”
Broader Context of Antisemitic Incidents
Some Jewish LGBTQ+ organisations did not attend this year’s Pride, citing safety concerns. These incidents are the latest in a series of antisemitic attacks in London in recent months, including the alleged attempted murder of two Jewish men and the firebombing of ambulances operated by Jewish volunteer service Hatzola in Golders Green, north London. In April, 140 antisemitic hate crimes were logged in London, compared to 98 in March and 67 in February.
The Met Police recently announced a “community protection” team of 100 officers to tackle anti-Jewish hate crime and safeguard the Jewish community. Earlier this year, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley called for 300 extra officers to tackle what he described as a growing “pandemic” of anti-Semitism in Britain. A Met spokesman said: “The Met continues to work hard to tackle hate crimes of all types, and officers across London have made more than 90 hate crime arrests since the end of March.”
