Prefer Jewish News on Google
Police ban on anti-Zionist protests in Jewish area was not unlawful, judge says
International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network UK (IJAN-UK) held regular protests in the Swiss Cottage area
A police ban on anti-Zionist protests in a highly Jewish area of north London was not unlawful, a High Court judge has said.
The International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network UK (IJAN-UK) held regular protests in the Swiss Cottage area between October 2023 and May 2025.
The demonstrations, sometimes held weekly on a Friday evening, were joined by counter-protests by Stop The Hate UK, causing “confrontation, police intervention, complaints and arrests”, Mr Justice Sweeting said.
The protests, which started after the Israeli response to the October 7 attacks, began outside the residence of the Israeli ambassador before moving to other areas in Swiss Cottage when legal restrictions were imposed by police.
On May 7, 2025, the Metropolitan Police imposed conditions under the Public Order Act preventing the group from holding its protests in the Swiss Cottage area and the order was repeated on subsequent occasions.
Protester Janet Simon, a Jewish resident of Camden, attempted to challenge the Metropolitan Police decision at the High Court.
On Tuesday Mr Justice Sweeting said her claim should not proceed to a full hearing as police had made a lawful decision.
The judge said: “The claimant contends that the restrictions effectively prevent IJAN-UK from protesting in the location which gives the protest its particular significance, namely an area containing a substantial Jewish community with whom the protesters seek to engage.
“The defendant’s position is that the restrictions were imposed in response to prolonged disruption affecting the local community and following a careful assessment of public order risks.”
He said the police’s decision was “plainly open to them” given the “significant effects” of the protests and counter-protests on the Swiss Cottage community.
Police had used the Public Order Act to move the protests on occasions before May 7, 2025 and these decisions were not legally challenged.
At a hearing in August, Alex Goodman KC, representing Ms Simon, said that the location of the protest was important because the intended audience included members of the Jewish community in Swiss Cottage and that much of the disruption was caused by counter-protesters.
George Thomas KC, for the police, said the decision had been reached by “experienced senior officers” responsible for managing “a difficult and evolving public order situation” and the concern was ”the cumulative impact on the local community of recurring protests and counter-protests over an extended period”.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
