Lib Dem mayoral candidate says ‘from the river’ chant antisemitic in most instances
Rob Blackie says that in some cases protesters are ignorant but that in the majority of cases it is ‘obviously antisemitism’
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
The Liberal Democrats London mayoral candidate has said the pro-Palestinian chant of “from the river to the sea” is antisemitic when used at protests in the the capital in “most circumstances”.
Speaking at the latest London Jewish Forum mayoral election breakfast event at JW3 Rob Blackie was asked for his view on the policing of the regular protests since October 7th and claims that London’s streets become unsafe when demos are held.
He said: “Keeping London welcoming means everybody has to feel safe in our city, so when we fail to do that it is a failure for everyone.”
Stressing he was not a lawyer himself, Blackie added:”Common sense is that some of the things that are chanted like ‘From the river to the sea (Palestine will be free)’ are clearly antisemitic.
“Maybe some people might be doing that out of ignorance, but I think most of the time it’s pretty obvious.
“In most circumstances chanting that is obviously antisemitism.”
In the last of four LJF events, with the Green, Labour and Tory candidates have already held sessions, the Lib Dem candidate was careful not to be too critical of the policing of demos in the capital.
Jewish News has partnered with the organisers during all four events, and will also support a hustings with all four candidates next month.
He said that it was “difficult” making more arrests “because policing demos is very manpower intensive, for every one person you arrest you probably need 20 police officers.”
Blackie added:”I think not recognised enough is quite how overstretched police in London are right now. ”
He was also loath to criticise current mayor Sadiq Khan on his attempts to call out antisemitism in the capital. But the Lib Dem candidate said he would have spent the past four years “fixing” the situation so there were more police available in the capital.
Blackie said the Metropolitan Police also had a significantly high number of police working in back office roles, rather than on the front line.
Later he praised Layla Moran, the Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesperson, who has a Christian Palestinian background, and while speaking out on the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the loss of innocent lives, has never been afraid to call out the atrocities committed by Hamas.
“I agree with Layla on almost everything,” said Blackie, who was introduced to the audience by Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel honorary chair Gavin Stollar.
Thursday’s event took place at JW3 two days after Sadiq Khan had appeared at a similar early morning session. Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall had appeared on Monday, while the Green candidate Zoë Garbett took part in a breakfast event last week.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
