All 14 arrested at synagogue protest bailed as police inquiries continue
No charges have been brought following clashes outside Edgware United Synagogue on Sunday
All 14 people arrested during clashes outside Edgware United Synagogue on Sunday have been released on bail pending further enquiries, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.
The arrests were made during rival protests linked to the Great Israeli Real Estate Event, which took place at the synagogue after its original venue withdrew days before the exhibition.
Police confirmed that five people were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, including one person who was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
A further person was arrested on suspicion of common assault, while another was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
Six people were arrested under Section 4A of the Public Order Act, with four of those arrests relating to alleged racially or religiously aggravated offences. One person was also arrested on suspicion of an offence under Section 18 of the Public Order Act.
The demonstration drew 1,000 pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters to the area and led to major road closures as police worked to keep rival groups apart.
The protest was organised by groups opposing the property exhibition, which they claimed was promoting the sale of land in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Jeanine Hourani of the Palestinian Youth Movement said on Sunday: “Over the last week, we have mobilised every segment of British society to get this criminal event cancelled.
“Over 100 parliamentarians, leading human rights organisations, the mayor of London, multiple legal organisations and over 100 grassroots organisations have condemned this event and called for its cancellation.
“And yet, it is still going ahead and that’s why we are protesting today.”
Organisers of the event have strongly rejected those allegations, insisting that all properties being marketed were located within Israel’s internationally recognised borders.
The Board of Deputies criticised the decision to protest outside a synagogue and accused public figures of helping to inflame tensions.
Board of Deputies acting president Adrian Cohen said: “The event organisers have publicly refuted claims that the event is marketing real estate over the Green Line.
“It is very disappointing that MPs and other public figures have not acknowledged this and instead inflamed tensions through partial and misleading commentary.
“Protesting at a synagogue based on false pretences seems to be little more than an excuse to harass and intimidate members of the Jewish community.”
Commander Adam Slonecki of the Metropolitan Police said on Sunday: “We are mindful that Jewish communities are experiencing heightened fear and concern following two-and-a-half years of sustained protest and, in recent months, a series of arsons and other attacks.
“There is a distinction between protesting in central London and protesting in the heart of communities, where the potential to cause serious disruption and intimidation is greater, and our policing plan reflects that.”
The Met said all 14 suspects have now been bailed while investigations continue.
No charges have been announced.
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