Palestinian rally banners equate Israel with Nazis
ANTISEMITIC placards were yesterday brandished at a pro-Palestine protest, claiming that “all Jews support violence” and likening Israel to Nazi Germany.
A large convoy of demonstrators, with Palestinian flags attached to their vehicles, travelled from Bradford to London amid ongoing fighting between Israel and militants in Gaza.
They joined a large group of protesters at Downing Street, where fake coffins were laid out with photos on top of children who have been killed in the conflict.
Protesters held banners which read “All Jews support violence and imperialism” and “It wasn’t ok in South Africa, it wasn’t ok in Nazi Germany, so why is it ok in Palestine?”.
This is the second time in a month that pro-Palestine protesters have travelled by convoy through the capital.
Fears were raised that Jewish residents would face abuse, after antisemitic insults were allegedly chanted by protesters in a similar convoy last month.
Four men were arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences following the incident in St John’s Wood.
Dave Rich, from Community Security Trust, a charity that helps protect British Jews from antisemitism, said it was essential that police prevented a repeat of that “disgraceful behaviour”.
“Cars flying flags through Jewish neighbourhoods in London and elsewhere as a means of intimidation has become commonplace over the past month and has to stop,” he said.
“The last time this convoy came to London it caused huge outrage and we have received a large number of calls about its return from Jewish people extremely alarmed and fearful.”
Mr Rich’s charity was in discussions with police this week, adding: “We hope that any repeat of last month’s disgraceful behaviour will be prevented.” The Metropolitan Police said a “proportionate and flexible policing plan” was put in place for the protest yesterday. Police followed vehicles in the convoy through central London.
After last month’s protest Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “There is no place for antisemitism in our society. I stand with Britain’s Jews who should not have to endure the type of shameful racism we have seen today.”
Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, said: “I’ve been in touch with the Met Commissioner about the appalling reports of antisemitic attacks this weekend.”