Met will mount ‘very significant operation’ at weekend’s pro-Palestine protests

Communal leaders have been assured that the Metropolitan Police will mount a “very significant operation” at Saturday’s controversial pro-Palestinian demo in central London at the latest meeting with senior commanders and deputy mayors.

In talks held one month after the Hamas terror atrocities in Israel, which were facilitated by the London Jewish Forum, Karen Findlay, Commander for Metropolitan Police Public Order said “The Met is determined that there will be no place in London for hate against Jewish people or any other vulnerable group.

“Ahead of this Armistice Weekend we are preparing a very significant policing operation to ensure that all remembrance events are not disrupted.”

Findlay was joined at this week’s meeting by Kyle Gordon, the Commander for Metropolitan Police Front Line policing.

Jonny Newton, Director of External Affairs, CST, rised concerns that “London’s Jewish community and CST are deeply concerned by the unprecedented rise in antisemitic incidents, including documented antisemitism at numerous pro-Palestinian demonstrations in recent weeks which we have asked to end due as they are disrupting the peace and the basic rights of Jews.

Representatives from the Board of Deputies, Jewish Leadership Council, the Union of Jewish Students and The Pinter Trust, were also among those to attend the now fortnightly meeting at City Hall.

Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “The last few weeks have been an incredibly traumatic time for many Londoners, particularly those with family and friends in Israel and Gaza. The situation is truly heart-breaking. We know that the conflict and escalating humanitarian crisis is having a direct impact on London and Londoners which is why the Mayor and I are determined to lead from the front and work with communities to stand united against hate in all its forms, including antisemitism.”

Guy Dabby-Joory, Head of Campaigns, Union of Jewish Students, told the meeting that the climate of fear and hostility for London’s Jewish students “must be addressed urgently” .
He said UJS are grateful that the GLA and the police are taking action to help counter this.

Joel Friedman, Director, The Pinter Trust said that the strictly Orthodox community “wish to express our profound gratitude to the Mayor’s Office and the local police for their proactive efforts and commitment and to also hearing our feedback.”

It was agreed that future meetings would continue the focus on the key issues including community cohesion, further developments in frontline and
public order policing, community reassurance and ultra-left, ultra-right and religious extremism.

LJF co-chairs Adrian Cohen and Andrew Gilbert expressed gratitude to all in attendance.