Metropolitan Police Confirms: Individuals displaying a Hamas flag will face arrest ahead of London protest

 

Protesters expressing solidarity with Hamas at a pro-Palestine march in London this weekend have been cautioned by the Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service that they may face arrest.

In anticipation of a scheduled pro-Palestinian march this Saturday, the service is dispatching an additional 1,000 officers to central London. This move is part of the city’s heightened security measures in response to a surge in antisemitic incidents.

The officers on duty will collaborate closely with stewards and event organisers. Police leaders have been granted the authority to instruct demonstrators to remove masks prior to the protest.

This development comes in light of the fact that the force has received 105 reports of antisemitic incidents since 30 September, marking a 650% increase compared to the same period last year, when there were 14 incidents.

Following the recent Israel-Gaza conflict, the Met registered 75 antisemitic offenses, a stark rise from the 12 incidents reported last year, indicating a concerning trend in the city.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, overseeing policing in London this weekend, made it clear that individuals found carrying “a flag in support of Hamas or any other proscribed terrorist organisation will be subject to arrest”.

“Our duty as an independent and impartial service is to strike a balance between the right to lawful protest and potential disruption to Londoners,” he stated.

“People do not possess the right to incite violence or promote hatred. The law is unequivocal in deeming support for proscribed organisations as unlawful.

“We will not tolerate the glorification of terrorism or loss of life, nor will we abide anyone encouraging violence.”

The Community Security Trust (CST), a Jewish charity, reported 89 incidents of anti-Jewish hate in the UK over the past four days, marking a 324% increase compared to the same period in 2022. This included six physical assaults, three instances of vandalism against Jewish property, and 66 cases of abusive behaviour.

Partnerships for Jewish Schools (PaJeS), the operational branch of the Jewish Schools Network (JSN), is collaborating with the police and CST to ensure the safety of school premises. Sky News disclosed that three schools would be closed on Friday and Monday to safeguard children: Torah Vodaas Primary School in Edgware, Ateres Beis Yaakov Primary School in Colindale, and Menorah High School in Neasden. Additionally, Jewish schools in Greater Manchester have heightened patrols in key city areas.

On Oxford Street, supporters of Palestine were captured on film tearing down posters depicting kidnapped Israeli citizens.

In the meantime, British Palestinian organisations are providing free transportation services for protestors from various parts of the UK to converge on London for the march.

Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Donna Jones, confirmed that the police would be taking a firm stance against anti-Jewish chants leading up to the protest.

Speaking on LBC, she remarked, “There is a pro-Palestine protest scheduled in central London, which the Metropolitan Police anticipate will draw over 10,000 attendees on Saturday. The Metropolitan Police Commissioner provided reassurances to the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, and Michael Gove (Communities Secretary), who were also present at the meeting. Both the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister reiterated their strong stance on the fact that displaying flags or wearing specific items of clothing or masks indicating support for Hamas constitutes an offence under terrorist law, given that they are a proscribed terrorist organisation.”

She clarified that it was not an offence to carry a Palestinian flag.

However, Scotland Yard Deputy Commissioner Dame Lynne Owens stated, “What we cannot do is interpret support for the Palestinian cause more broadly as automatically indicating support for Hamas or any other proscribed group, even when it follows so closely after an attack carried out by that group, and when to many, the link may seem indisputable.

“An expression of support for the Palestinian people more broadly, including flying the Palestinian flag, does not, in and of itself, constitute a criminal offence.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has already cautioned against the “disgusting rise” in antisemitic incidents, asserting that it will be met with the full force of the law.

Speaking to broadcasters in Gotland, Sweden, he revealed that an additional £3 million in funding has been allocated to the Community Security Trust to safeguard Jewish institutions.

He added, “We will absolutely not tolerate people inciting hatred, or violence, or racist activity – intimidating or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan affirmed his unwavering support for Jewish and Muslim Londoners against those who propagate hate and division in the city. He warned that those found guilty of such acts will face the full extent of the law.