The Metropolitan Police has apologised after an officer told an antisemitism charity leader that he looked 'openly Jewish' and threatened him with arrest for being near a pro-Palestine march in London.
Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), was wearing a kippah skull-cap when he was stopped in the Aldwych area on Saturday. An officer said his presence was causing a 'breach of peace', according to video footage posted online.
In the video, one officer says: '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 adds that Mr Falter will be escorted out of the area or arrested if he remains.
The Met initially issued a statement referring to a 'new trend' of those opposed to the protests appearing along the route, saying they 'must know that their presence is provocative'. This was criticised as victim-blaming, prompting a second apology in which the force said: 'Being Jewish is not a provocation. Jewish Londoners must be able to feel safe in this city.'
Mr Falter accused the Met of creating 'no-go zones' for Jewish people, saying: 'The Met believes that being openly Jewish will antagonise the anti-Israel marchers and that Jews need protection, which the police cannot guarantee.'
