Guardian column claims presence of Gail’s bakery near Palestinian cafe is ‘heavy-handed aggression’

A Guardian columnist has claimed the presence of a branch of a Gail’s bakery on the same street as a Palestinian cafe “feels like an act of heavy-handed high-street aggression”.

Jonathan Liew’s piece, which appeared in yesterday’s edition of the newspaper, has triggered a fresh row over antisemitism in British media, with watchdog CAMERA UK formally complaining to the newspaper.

The group said it had written to the editor raising concerns about Liew’s article, specifically the observation that Gail’s presence in Archway, north London, “20 metres away from a small independent Palestinian cafe feels quietly symbolic, an act of heavy-handed high-street aggression”.

The Archway branch of Gail’s has been targeted in recent weeks, with its windows smashed and paint daubed on the walls. Police have increased uniformed patrols in the area, with officers investigating the repeated criminal damage. No arrests have been made.

The controversy has spread on social media. Broadcaster and mathematician Rachel Riley criticised the column. Posting on X, Riley wrote: “I’ve been saying this for a couple of years now, our very existence is being viewed as a provocation.”

Journalist Hadley Freeman wrote: “So let me get this straight: 1. Petty activism against a Palestinian-owned cafe is bad (agreed!) 2. But *violent* activism against a cafe that people associate (wrongly!) with Israel is justified and understandable Update your rule book accordingly.” While Simon Myerson KC wrote: “I see the Guardian is having an antisemitic moment. Sorry, another antisemitic moment.”

Commenting on the attacks on the bakery, a Community Security Trust (CST) spokesperson said: “Targeting a bakery for graffiti and protests simply because one of its founders was Israeli is racist, and any claims that Gail’s is linked to the Israeli state are completely spurious. Rather than legitimate political activism, this is a racist campaign that spreads hate on British streets and creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.”

At the time of publication, the Guardian had not publicly responded.

Jewish News has also contacted the Guardian for comment.