Local MP’s fury as ‘anti-Zionist’ mob descends on Hendon

An anti-Zionist protest in Hendon has been condemned after demonstrators gathered days after an antisemitic attack nearby.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police were called to reports of a protest outside a charity premises in Finchley Lane, Hendon at 18:25hrs on Monday, 30 March. Officers attended to prevent possible disorder between the protesters and a counter-demonstration. No arrests were made, and both groups had left the area by 20:30hrs.”

Footage and eyewitness accounts indicate that around 40 demonstrators entered the north-west London neighbourhood, chanting accusations of “genocide” and shouting that the “state of Israel has to go”.

Police were seen escorting the group away from the area towards Hendon Central station as residents gathered nearby.

The incident occurred less than a mile from Golders Green, where Hatzola ambulances were targeted in an arson attack last week, leaving many in the local Jewish community shaken.

Hendon MP David Pinto-Duschinsky described the protest as “utterly appalling, completely unacceptable and clearly antisemitic”, criticising both its location and timing.

“I have been made aware of a spontaneous so-called ‘anti-Zionist’ protest that took place in Hendon earlier this evening,” he said.

“The protesters chose to demonstrate at the heart of a quiet residential neighbourhood with a large Jewish community that is still in shock from the despicable antisemitic attack on Hatzola Golders Green, less than a mile away.

“At a time when the community is already frightened, they have sought to make things worse.”

He added that he is “liaising closely with the CST and Police” and thanked them for their “rapid action”.

Barnet Council also condemned the incident, with Cllr Sara Conway describing the scenes as “deeply concerning and unacceptable”.

“Seeing the scenes in Hendon, it is deeply concerning and unacceptable that protestors brought intimidation to the streets of Barnet at a time when the Jewish community is feeling so vulnerable,” she said.

She confirmed the demonstration was “spontaneous, with no prior warning or notification”, adding that police “arrived within 10 minutes of receiving the call”.

Conway said she would “continue to work closely with the police, CST, Shomrim and community leaders to maximise community safety at this very challenging time”.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews urged police to take a stronger stance following the protest.

“It is plainly unacceptable that a divisive and provocative protest of the kind we saw yesterday should take place in Hendon, especially in the climate of concern following the attack in Golders Green. We have been informed by local police that they are assessing whether there were hateful or antisemitic slogans or banners.

“Just as the police rightly used powers to prevent a UKIP protest taking place in Tower Hamlets out of concern for the local Muslim community, they need to be able to take a robust stance against these protests in Jewish areas. We have advocated for police to have all the powers necessary to protect the Jewish community.”

A spokesperson for the National Jewish Assembly said: “Coming to Hendon to stage a protest achieves nothing but inflaming tensions and intimidating residents.

“There is nothing to be gained from holding a demonstration here.

“This is not a protest; it is harassment.”

About 40 vile pro Palestinian protesters descended upon Hendon, NW London to shout “genocide” at the local Jewish community.

Police turned up as local residents came out and police marched them to Hendon Central tube.

Around 40 police officers were needed for these scum heads. pic.twitter.com/78qH7svK25

— James J. Marlow (@James_J_Marlow) March 30, 2026