A COALITION of Jewish groups calling on Israel to stop attacking Gaza yesterday criticised the Met Police for failing to meet them.
The bloc representing more than a 1,000 Jews said that it had gone public after “weeks of fruitless back and forth communication” with the force.
The group seeks a delegation to meet police chiefs to explain its opposition to the heavy-handed policing of national Palestine marches since January.
In a statement, the bloc, which includes the Black Jewish Alliance, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, Jews Against Genocide, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Jewish Network for Palestine, Jewish Socialists’ Group, Jewish Voice for Labour, and Na’amod, said: “The Met, which has ramped up draconian restrictions on pro-Palestinian protest, is only listening to militantly pro-Israel Jewish bodies even though these organisations are themselves divided.
“The same is happening at central government level, with ministers citing supposed concern about Jewish safety to justify legislation which will give police even wider powers to suppress dissent.”
Metropolitan Police chief Mark Rowley came under fire after telling a pro-Israel group a day after the January 18 national demonstration for Palestine that his force had imposed unprecedented restrictions on it. Nearly 80 people had been arrested at the demo.
On Thursday it emerged that the Board of Deputies of Jews has suspended the vice-chair of its international division pending an investigation into complaints regarding a letter published by the Financial Times that criticised Israel’s war on Gaza.
An emergency protest calling for Britain to stop arming Israel was held at Downing Street last night.
A spokeswoman for the Stop the War Coalition said: “Our magnificent movement saw over half a million people on the streets of London last Saturday and just two days later the Foreign Secretary finally denounced the planned ethnic cleansing of Palestinians by Israel from their homeland, along with demanding an immediate ceasefire.
“The Gaza solidarity movement has outlived the British government’s policy of defence for Israel.
“The moment the Establishment’s arguments are starting to collapse is the moment for maximum pressure, which is why we’re out at Downing Street tonight and mobilising for another huge national demonstration on June 21.
“We stay on the streets until Lammy’s words become real action and the UK stops arming Israel!”
The Met was contacted for comment.
