London’s Jewish community deserves better from the Met police
SIR – I cried when I read of the police officer threatening to arrest Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Anti-semitism, for being “openly Jewish” and walking in central London during a pro-palestinian protest the weekend before last (Letters, April 22).
I never imagined that such a thing could happen in Britain in my lifetime. My parents lived through the Second World War and fought against anti-semitism. The Metropolitan Police force needs to take a long, hard look at itself. Jane Jones
London NW5
SIR – Police siding with protesters rather than law-abiding bystanders is nothing new.
Some time after the EU referendum, on my way from the Ritz to clubland, I encountered a large and noisy anti-brexit march going down St James’s. I began to tell the participants as loudly as I could – though in perfectly proper language – that they should respect the democratic decision of the British people. A uniformed constable came over to me and told me to shut up immediately, adding that I would be in very serious trouble if I did not.
Fearing arrest, I was silent. But I have not trusted the police since. Francis Bown
London E3
SIR – The Metropolitan Police faces a difficult, wearying and increasingly costly task in trying to keep the peace at these interminable demonstrations. The potential for confrontation is obvious.
Had Mr Falter not been warned of the possible outcome of his proposed actions and violence had occurred, that might have been reason to challenge the effectiveness of the policing.
However, one officer’s clumsy choice of words in a charged and stressful situation is neither evidence of anti-semitism nor a reason to call for the Met Commissioner’s dismissal. Roy Ramm
Great Dunmow, Essex
SIR – As a Jew, I am given to wondering why the police are being blamed for the craven appeasement by politicians of the aggression and hatred displayed by some pro-palestinian protesters. Michael Grayeff
Edgware, Middlesex
SIR – As it happens, I was at the pro-palestinian demonstration in central London on April 13. (I would describe myself as a curious observer, however, rather than a participant.)
As I watched the noisy, disparate crowds file by, I noticed a group of Jewish socialists taking part. Given their participation, the police suggestion that being “openly Jewish” could be some kind of provocation appears even more bizarre. Richard Harrison
Richmond, Surrey