The Metropolitan Police have been forced to issue a second apology for causing "further offence" after an initial apology about an officer’s use of the term “openly Jewish” sparked outrage.
The police force found itself at the centre of a backlash when video footage circulated online of an officer talking to the Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, at a Palestine march.
In the video, the policeman said: “You are quite openly Jewish, this is a pro-Palestinian march, I’m not accusing you of anything but I’m worried about the reaction to your presence.”
Apologising for the language used by the officer, the Met Police's initial statement said that opponents who turn up at pro-Palestine marches “must know that their presence is provocative” and they are “increasing the likelihood of an altercation” by lining the route to object.
However, the statement was deleted just hours later with the force apologising for the "further offence" that the statement had caused.
It said: "The use of the term ‘openly Jewish’ by one of our officers is hugely regrettable. We know it will have caused offence to many. We reiterate our apology.
The police were forced to issue a follow up apology after causing offence with their initial responseCREATIVE COMMONS/TWITTER"We have reflected on the strength of the response to our previous statement.
"In an effort to make a point about the policing of protest we caused further offence. This was never our intention. We have removed that statement and we apologise.
"Being Jewish is not a provocation. Jewish Londoners must be able to feel safe in this city.
"Our commitment to protecting the public extends to all communities across London. It’s important that our public statements reflect that more clearly than they did today."
The Met Police's initial apology was deleted
The follow up apologised for the 'further offence' caused
Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in London last Saturday to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and urge the Government to stop all arms sales to Israel.
Crowds waved Palestinian flags, chanted “Free Palestine” and held signs calling for a “ceasefire now” and an end to arms sales.
Last night the Campaign Against Antisemitism issued its response to the follow-up apology from the Met and accused the police of failing to look after the best interests of the jewish community.
It said: "The now-deleted statement was issued by the Assistant Commissioner. It was atrocious.
"The incident that it concerns happened a week ago. The Met has yet to say what it will actually do to protect Jews."
The organisation added: "They are concerned with how they look and whether we might be 'quite openly Jewish' again on the streets.
"They are not concerned with doing their jobs, enforcing the law and protecting law-abiding Londoners."