Antisemitic attacks in London have increased by a staggering 1,353 per cent as a result of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Metropolitan Police has said.
Shocking new figures revealed a surge in hate crimes in the capital following Hamas’ terror attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military response.
From 1 to 18 October, police recorded 218 antisemitic offences compared to 15 recorded in the same period last year – an increase of 1,353 per cent.
Islamophobic hate crime has also leapt up by 140 per cent, with 101 Islamophobia offences recorded versus 42 in the same period last year.
So far the Met has made 21 arrests for hate crime offences with investigations ongoing into “many more”, deputy assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan said in a media briefing on Friday, including a man arrested for defacing posters of missing Israelis in Camden.
Another man was arrested in relation to ten incidents of Islamophobic graffiti in New Malden and Raynes Park.
He said officers have been deployed to 445 schools and 1,930 places of worship as they work to reassure communities amid growing tensions over the conflict.
Aerial footage captures thousands of pro-Palestine protesters marching through London last Saturday (14 October)— (Reuters)
More than 1,000 officers – public order trained officers, roads policing teams, mounted units and dog units – will be on the streets as thousands are expected to join a pro-Palestinian march from Marble Arch to Whitehall in the capital on Saturday, organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign. A smaller demonstration is also planned near the Egyptian or Turkish embassies, organised by Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain.
Adelekan said police would respect the right to protest “without fear or favour” but warned: “We will not stand by where we see hate crime taking place. We will intervene and we will intervene swiftly.”
He also said protestors would be prohibited from an area directly outside the Israeli embassy.
He said: “It is important to remember that while supporting the Palestinian cause or criticising Israel is not in itself unlawful, support for a proscribed organisation such as Hamas or Hezbollah is unlawful.”
He noted that one chant, which has been subject to fierce debate – “Palestine shall be free from the rivers to the sea” – would not result in an arrest in an organised protest setting. However, if chanted outside a synagogue or directed at a Jewish person with the intention to intimidate them, it could be considered an offence.
His comments come after 15 arrests were made at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in central London last week.
Police officers and pro-Palestine demonstrators in London on last Saturday— (Reuters)
Police will also keep a “watchful eye” on Saturday’s demonstration to establish if any breaches of the Terrorism Act take place, Dominic Murphy of the Met’s counter-terror command added.
On Tuesday a man was arrested under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act for supporting a proscribed group after he was caught holding a banner supporting Hamas at a demonstration.
He added: “We will continue to consider how the Terrorism Act may apply to people supporting proscribed in London.”
In addition, officers have received nearly 1,400 referrals to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit, with around 100 requiring further investigation, he said.
Counter-terror units are also working to support London families who have lost loved ones in the Hamas attacks, in order to assist with repatriating victims and holding a coroner’s inquest.
He noted the UK terror threat is currently rated as “substantial” and it is important we remain “entirely vigilant”. He added: “Incidents like this can lead to inspiring attacks elsewhere, especially here in the UK. We have seen this in the past.
“That is the main function of my officers and staff at the moment – to ensure that the UK is protected from that threat.”
