Met Police accused of 'protecting terrorist sympathisers' as they stop Israeli bus showing kidnapped children

The Campaign Against Antisemitism used vans with electric screens showing the images in central London on Wednesday.

Following concerns that a nearby pro-Palestinian protest could cause a flashpoint - and claims protesters “threatened and intimidated” CAA staff - police officers ordered the CAA to turn the screens off and leave the area.

It's also claimed officers "physically restrained" CAA chief executive Gideon Falter.

The Met Police said its “priority was the safety of everyone involved”, while the CAA said it was considering “all legal options” related to the force.

A video shared on X, formerly Twitter, and recorded by Mr Falter, shows the large electronic billboard with a picture of two children being held by Hamas.

When challenged by Mr Falter, a female police officer can be heard saying: “What we don’t want is people coming this way and doing any damage to their vans.”

Speaking after the incident, Mr Falter said: “This was the most disturbing incident that I have experienced in nearly a decade at CAA. Our volunteers were left shaken by the protesters who were harassing and intimidating them, and the police did nothing.

“I’ve just had one of the most disturbing experiences in nine years at Campaign Against Antisemitism.”

Who are the police protecting here?

Those standing up to terrorists, or those who sympathise with them?

We are considering our legal options and a public protest. pic.twitter.com/2eTwhXZk19

— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) October 19, 2023

“Instead, the officers told our drivers to turn off their billboards and stop showing the faces of children kidnapped by a proscribed terrorist organisation, apparently because their sympathisers on British streets might attack us for showing them.

“Then when I attended the scene the police did the same thing, going so far as to restrain me, supposedly for my ‘own safety’.

“We never imagined that it would be the police who would stop us from showing the faces of children kidnapped by a terrorist group banned by the UK Government.

“Who are the police protecting here? Those standing up to terrorists, or those who sympathise with them?”

In a statement, the Met Police said they "absolutely understand" why the Campaign Against Antisemitism is raising awareness and calling for the release of all hostages.

They added: "We have no wish to limit freedom of expression or to prevent people from exercising their right to protest in whatever lawful way they see fit.

"However we do have a responsibility for public safety and there will be occasions where we try to avoid groups with strongly opposing views coming into immediate contact with each other.

"Officers were on duty policing a vigil organised by pro-Palestinian groups in Whitehall, just up from Parliament Square where the incident involving the billboard vans and officers was filmed.

"While many participants had already left due to the poor weather a number still remained and officers were keen to avoid the billboard vans becoming a point of tension or conflict.

"As with any incident we will carefully consider whether our response was appropriate and what we might do differently should a similar situation arise again.

"We would welcome the opportunity to talk to Mr Falter about the incident, to share our perspective and the reflections of our officers but most importantly to listen to and reflect on his specific concerns."