This morning, Alex Deane, met with the Police Minister Chris Philp to address the ongoing marches in London and their implications for public safety and particularly that of the Jewish community.
Alex raised the case where a police officer told a Jewish man that his “openly Jewish” appearance risked antagonising pro-Palestinian marchers with the Minister, who acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the challenges faced by the Government.
Commenting, Alex said:
The police officer’s statement reveals a troubling reality; if the marches were genuinely anti-Zionist and not antisemitic as their organisers claim, the presence of a Jewish person would not be seen as provocative.
It is unacceptable that some individuals in British society feel unsafe in the heart of our once-inclusive capital. The rank-and-file officers policing these protests are doing their best under difficult circumstances, but their position is becoming increasingly untenable.
Without change, the situation will deteriorate further. I believe amendments to the Public Order Act may be necessary to halt these marches and allow our police officers to focus on ensuring the safety of all citizens.
The Minister also expressed support for the forthcoming Walney Review which is set to be released later today. The Review is intended to increase the government’s understanding of the increase in activity by far-right, far-left and other political groups and identify where activities can cross into criminality and disruption.
