Counter- demo planned at ‘Al Quds Day’ rally

HUNDREDS OF Jewish protesters are expected to join a counter-demonstration on Sunday against the annual Al Quds Day parade.

The Stand Against Hate rally in central London, organised by the Zionist Federation and backed by the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council among others, will protest against the march. The Al Quds event is described as being for the “freedom of the oppressed in Palestine and beyond” and has regularly seen flags of terrorist organisations Hezbollah and Hamas raised on the streets of the capital.

Nearly 6,500 people have signed a petition set up by the North West Friends of Israel group in advance of the parade, calling for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to ban the march, which will end at Grosvenor Square, on the grounds that previous events have seen support for proscribed terror groups.

Baroness Tonge will address the 1,000 people expected to attend the event, along with Mick Napier of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Paul Charney, Zionist Federation chairman, said: “At times like this, it is more important than ever that we counter any support for extremism and terrorism, and stand together to say there is no place for this expression of solidarity with terrorists on our streets.”

A City Hall spokeswoman said that the mayor has no powers to stop a march so long as protesters remain within the law. She added that the mayor appreciated “the impact of this event on local communities”.

In official guidance to supporters, the Islamic Human Rights Commission said: “Participants are welcome to bring flags that show solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Flags of proscribed organisations will not be allowed. You can bring a Hezbollah flag to show support for the political wing of Hezbollah.”