‘The next London mayor must ban these toxic pro-Palestine marches from our streets,’ writes Bella Wallersteiner

Enough is enough. It's time for London to take a stand against antisemitism and hatred disguised as activism. That's why I'm adamant that our next mayor must be willing to do everything in their power to ban these toxic pro-Palestine marches from our streets.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign may claim their marches are peaceful, but the reality is far from it. The Campaign Against Antisemitism has reported numerous incidents of antisemitic abuse and offensive imagery at these events, which I have witnessed firsthand on many occasions, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the safety and dignity of Jewish Londoners. The Metropolitan Police's report of 450 arrests, with nearly half of them related to antisemitic offences, is a damning indictment of the toxic atmosphere these marches create.

As hate crimes against Jewish people surge by a staggering 1,350 per cent in the city, London finds itself at a critical juncture where strong leadership is not just desired but desperately needed. The Metropolitan Police's revelation that nine out of ten alleged hate crime incidents have resulted in zero arrests is not just alarming; it's a stark indication of the dire state of affairs under the current administration.

Londoners are facing a crisis of safety and security, where minority communities feel under-protected and vulnerable to the scourge of hatred. This cannot be tolerated, and it demands urgent action from City Hall.

I refuse to tolerate a political climate where Jews are made to feel unsafe in their own city. It's disgraceful that the Metropolitan Police, tasked with protecting all Londoners, have allowed these marches to continue unchecked. Arrests of individuals holding Nazi signs are merely a band-aid solution to a much deeper problem.

These marches are also draining our already overstretched police resources, with £38.5million spent on policing these events. This money would be better invested in tackling the root causes of crime and ensuring the safety of all Londoners at a time when knife and gun crime rates have soared by 20 per cent in the past year, leaving our streets more dangerous than ever. With over 14,000 knife offences and more than 1,200 gun crimes recorded in 2023, it's clear that action is needed to tackle this epidemic of violence.

The declaration of a critical incident in northeast London on Tuesday, after a man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers, serves as another grim reminder of the need for effective leadership. While innocent lives are being lost to violence on our streets, valuable police resources are being diverted to manage protests that serve only to exacerbate tensions and divert attention from the real issues plaguing our communities.

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London deserves a mayor who will prioritise the safety and well-being of all its residents, regardless of their background or beliefs. That's why I will only support a candidate who is willing to take decisive action to ban pro-Palestine marches and root out antisemitism from our streets.

Susan Hall, the Conservative London Mayoral Candidate, has voiced concerns that law enforcement officers feel hesitant to enforce the law effectively, contributing to a sense of lawlessness and insecurity. By holding Mayor Sadiq Khan accountable for setting a tone of leniency, Hall has highlighted the urgent need for stronger leadership in tackling crime and maintaining public order.

If elected, Hall has pledged to make her position on the pro-Palestine marches clear to Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, leaving no room for ambiguity in her commitment to ensure the safety of all Londoners. Hall has gone beyond Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's demands by explicitly calling for more arrests at these chaotic demonstrations. No more excuses, no more soft approaches – just firm, decisive action to protect Londoners from harm.

Hall's determination to tackle the root cause of these protests, coupled with her unwavering support for law enforcement, resonates with Londoners tired of seeing their streets overrun by violence and intimidation. She understands the importance of empowering police officers to enforce the law effectively, without hesitation or fear of backlash.

While I have been hesitant to throw my support behind Susan, her strong stance on this issue has won me over. In the face of rising tensions and growing concerns for the safety of Jewish residents, Susan Hall is the leader we need to ensure that London remains a city free from bigotry and division.

While he boasts of increased funding for the Met, Sadiq Khan’s failure to effectively address the rise in antisemitic incidents and the atmosphere of intimidation during pro-Palestine marches has demonstrated an absence of leadership. Furthermore, Khan’s repeated attempts to deflect criticism by pointing to budget allocations and operational constraints fail to address the urgency of the situation.

In a startling display of misplaced trust, Khan has continued to throw his unwavering support behind Sir Mark Rowley despite shocking footage surfacing earlier this month from a pro-Palestine march, capturing a Met officer referring to a Jewish man as "openly Jewish," sparking outrage and condemnation from all corners.

The Mayor's feeble attempts to mollify the public with platitudes about safety and the difficulties of policing marches have fallen well short of addressing the crux of the matter. Words are meaningless without tangible action. It is why trust between the Met and the communities they serve hangs by a thread, and it's up to our leaders to either mend or sever it.

Our city cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the rising tide of hatred and intolerance. It's time for our leaders to stand up and say enough is enough. As Londoners head to the polls this Thursday, I urge my fellow citizens to join me in voting for a mayor who will truly represent the values of tolerance, inclusivity, and respect for all.

London needs a mayor who will uphold the values that define us – a mayor who will carry the spirit of Cable Street forward into the 21st century. Susan Hall is that leader.