Hertsmere leader speaks out over ‘Jew-baiting’ pro-Palestine graffiti

Hertsmere Council leader Jeremy Newmark has pledged to remove antisemitic, racist, and other offensive graffiti within 24 hours of receiving consent to do so—after condemning red-painted “Free Palestine” slogans that appeared near the entrance of a building functioning as a synagogue.

In a speech addressing the issue, Newmark also criticised Tommy Robinson’s “unwanted and unwarranted interest in our area.” The Labour council leader explained why he found the Palestine graffiti “particularly offensive.”

“I want to make one thing really clear,” he told councillors. “I don’t believe there’s anything intrinsically racist or offensive about the words ‘Free Palestine.’

“However, context is everything. When those words appear daubed in blood-red paint immediately outside the entrance to a building that serves as a synagogue, Jewish Community Centre, and religious study centre, we know why that location has been chosen.

“When those words appear in blood-red at the very location where the weekly humanitarian vigil takes place—attended by people of all faiths, all communities, and none, in support of the remaining hostages held by Hamas—we know why they’ve chosen that spot. The reason is clear. It’s a very specific kind of gaslighting. We might even call it Jew-baiting.”

Newmark said Hertsmere would use professionals to remove racist and offensive graffiti within 24 hours of receiving consent, where the land is private, or sooner if the land is public.

He also stated that the council would continue to support the building and development of places of worship across Hertsmere, “as this administration has done with pride over the past two years.”

“Be it the new Jewish Life Centre in Borehamwood, the new mosque at Maxwell Park, similar mosque projects in Potters Bar, the five other synagogue redevelopment projects around the borough, or the desire of the Hindu community to locate a new temple in the area,” Newmark added. “And, of course, our ongoing support for the many churches that this borough has been home to over many years.”

Newmark noted how last Sunday’s march organised by Robinson “and the so-called patriots” included a speaker from New Zealand who was cheered as he “called for the demolition of all non-Christian places of worship in the UK.”

He concluded: “We won’t be supporting the county council in taking down Union flags or St George’s flags, but nor will we be surrendering our national flags to those who wish to use them as symbols of violence, fear, intimidation, and division.”

Newmark had come under-fire from activist who attended last Sunday’s march, who accused him of smearing those present on the demo as far-right extremists.