Demonstrators who chanted ‘jihad’ during a pro-Palestinian protest in London have been condemned amid mass criticism of the police’s response to the incident.
Footage taken from outside the Egyptian and Turkish embassies on Saturday showed a handful of people shouting ‘jihad’ when asked by a speaker what should be done to “liberate people in the concentration camp called Palestine”.
Scotland Yard responded by insisting that the word ‘jihad’ has numerous meanings, and after having its specialist counterterrorism officers assess the footage, no offences were identified.
Jewish News Editor Richard Ferrer said he was “aghast” at the ruling, adding the context in which the word was being uttered was clear.
Richard Ferrer wants tougher action on certain pro-Palestine protesters
GB NEWS / REUTERS
Ferrer was asked by GB News’ Mark Longhurst about Rishi Sunak’s commitment to making Jewish people in Britain feel “safe” during a contentious time, and whether this is possible when such instances are taking place.
“Did it look safe to you?”, he responded.
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“Did that gentleman waving that black flag look like somebody that we want to have on the streets of London, advocating for violent rampage?
“Let’s make no mistake, that’s what the word means, that’s what the word intends.
“Anyone advocating for that in London has no place in this country unless it is in a police cell.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman is set to question Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley on the protests sparked by the war between Israel and Hamas, after the terrorist group killed 1,400 Israelis.
Pro-Palestine protesters have taken to the streets of London PAA source close to Braverman said: “The Home Secretary is already due to meet the Metropolitan Police commissioner to discuss the ongoing Israel-Gaza protests and will be asking for an explanation over the response to incidents which took place on Saturday.
“There can be no place for incitement to hatred or violence on Britain’s streets and, as the home secretary has made clear, the police are urged to crack down on anyone breaking the law.”
Ferrer continued by telling GB News he does not believe it should be a difficult task for police officers to decipher when a crime is being committed during a pro-Palestine demonstration.
“I went to the pro-Palestinian rally on Saturday just to observe it. The tone was completely different to the one we saw at this Hizb ut-Tahrir event.
“I mean clearly, morally, logically, rationally. I mean it's just it it screams at you.
“It is not just possible, it is crucial to support Palestinians while condemning Hamas.
“That is the moral position of everybody. Surely. And clearly what was taking place on the streets under that Black Flag was not that.”
Hizb ut-Tahrir is an extremist Islamist group responsible for splinter pro-Palestine protests.
A figure of the group said the Hamas attack on Israel “made us all very, very happy” while branding the terrorists “heroes”.
Braverman is under mounting pressure to ban the group which is already outlawed in Germany and a host of other countries.