To think that London, or anywhere else for that matter, does not belong to any one demographic

He did not want to walk into the crowd , if I believe he would have been physically attacked I am sure he had the sense to know it.

He is a journalist Annie. He wants publicity for his cause.

But surely we should know about the antisemitism in the society we live in?

I’m sure most of it do - and it has worsened with the pro-Palestine marches.

Most of us, not most of it.

People may know about anti -semitism, but as on here, there are frequent attempts to dismiss it. Hence the need for a journalist to produce evidence of what is happening, not have it dismissed as an attempt to provoke or antagonise.

The most obvious solution is for these marches to be stopped; they achieve nothing apart from preventing police from, perhaps, arresting shoplifters, catching car thieves, investigating burglaries and policing cyclists' frequent infringement of traffic laws.

But then you'd either have to ban all marches, freedom of expression which is a democratic right, or be selective, which becomes a matter of political and social choices and questionable political bias in many cases. For example, during the November March against Anti-Semitism the far right tried to infiltrate it costing much police time but it was right the match should go ahead.

I don’t agree. Freedom of speech is stifled all the time in the UK. The marches are achieving nothing and cost millions. They aren’t going anyway in stopping attacks on Gaza. They, in themselves, are political and should now be stopped or at least only allowed once a month.

I’m listening to Gideon Falter being interviewed on radio 4 now. He’s impressive. He wants Mark Rowley to resign. He doesn’t believe Police officers or Rowley are anti semitic. He says Rowley betrayed the Jewish community by allowing the marches with anti semitic posters and chants, whilst saying Jewish people should stay out of central London to avoid provoking the marchers
It’s hard to believe senior officers can have set this disgusting tone

If the police arrested those with anti semetic placards ,those singing anti semetic chant,who called Gideon Falter scum but no, this is free speech?

Sorry, meant the anti Semitic placards and anti semitic chant are considered free speech in this country

Marches can be banned if there’s the will to do so. This happened (or didn’t, depending on your POV) in Scotland earlier this year.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-68574271

As for the comment about I have already posted a link from his organisation’s website - they film undercover within marches trying to find evidence of antisemitism. And what’s wrong with doing that? Much wrongdoing in the world has been exposed by people who’ve filmed undercover. The abuse of residents in care homes, welfare abuse of animals, illegal practices in factories, corruption in football and so on.

Definitely arrest or take away anti-semitic hate speech/placards.

SueDonim

Marches can be banned if there’s the will to do so. This happened (or didn’t, depending on your POV) in Scotland earlier this year.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-68574271

As for the comment about I have already posted a link from his organisation’s website - they film undercover within marches trying to find evidence of antisemitism. And what’s wrong with doing that? Much wrongdoing in the world has been exposed by people who’ve filmed undercover. The abuse of residents in care homes, welfare abuse of animals, illegal practices in factories, corruption in football and so on.

I totally agree. And when it comes to ‘trying to find evidence of antisemitism’, I don’t think they’d have to try very hard!

Wyllow3

But then you'd either have to ban all marches, freedom of expression which is a democratic right, or be selective, which becomes a matter of political and social choices and questionable political bias in many cases. For example, during the November March against Anti-Semitism the far right tried to infiltrate it costing much police time but it was right the match should go ahead.

I think the criterion for whether to ban a march could be, do members of any minority feel afraid (justifiably) to come into the city concerned at the time concerned?

There isn’t a democratic right to intimidate Jews.

Antisemitism has always been around. It has just got worse. In 2000 years we still haven't learned to accept each other and tend to hate those who are different in some way.
Judging by what I see it won't get any better.
We've had a long time to learn to live together in harmony and we are still killing and abusing each other. I despair.

I agree its a difficult one - same dilemmas currently being faced over Europe and the USA as there are demonstrations and events all over.

The majority on the marches are against the occupation of Gaza but that doesn't equate of itself to anti-semitism, given that within Israel itself there are people who disagree with their current governments' decisions. However I agree its a minefield picking out who is who!

AGAA4

Antisemitism has always been around. It has just got worse. In 2000 years we still haven't learned to accept each other and tend to hate those who are different in some way.
Judging by what I see it won't get any better.
We've had a long time to learn to live together in harmony and we are still killing and abusing each other. I despair.

Oh yes. This problem seems intractable.

Iam64

I’m listening to Gideon Falter being interviewed on radio 4 now. He’s impressive. He wants Mark Rowley to resign. He doesn’t believe Police officers or Rowley are anti semitic. He says Rowley betrayed the Jewish community by allowing the marches with anti semitic posters and chants, whilst saying Jewish people should stay out of central London to avoid provoking the marchers
It’s hard to believe senior officers can have set this disgusting tone

Thank you, Iam64, I’m interested to hear that. I think what GF said is true. The Jewish community was betrayed.

SueDonim

Marches can be banned if there’s the will to do so. This happened (or didn’t, depending on your POV) in Scotland earlier this year.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-68574271

As for the comment about I have already posted a link from his organisation’s website - they film undercover within marches trying to find evidence of antisemitism. And what’s wrong with doing that? Much wrongdoing in the world has been exposed by people who’ve filmed undercover. The abuse of residents in care homes, welfare abuse of animals, illegal practices in factories, corruption in football and so on.

Pro Palestine marches were banned in France am sure, as it was political but nothing to do with France.They saved their cities from nuisance and the police could get on with solving crimes.

The bad advice may well have come from the top, but the sheer aggression you see in the police officer in the video was alarming.Pushing his face forward and loudly condemning a quietly spoken Jewish man for being near a pro Palestine march.This police officer is the one who needs to apologise and then Mark Rowley.The Met need immediate advice on how to treat London citizens who are not marching.

The police officer should apologise, doubt he will , he is anti semitic, these people believe their choice of words and behaviour is acceptable

I read the article in the ST with Gideon Falter who stated how he was called "scum" by some of the marchers and they stated hatred for him because he looked Jewish and no one on that march said to those verbally abusive individuals "don't say those things" this precipitated him being told he was provocative by the Met Officer.

Equally shocking, on the Mail on Line with apologies to the faint hearted who find that publication beyond the pale, is a scumbag following two Muslim women wearing headscarves shouting words you wouldn't want to see or hear and nonsense about them not belonging here because this is a Christian country. He's caught on camera and the Met are looking for him and I hope they find and deal with him because once again horrible, horrible behaviour.

I feel the same about that too. IMO all people should not be harassed because of how others perceive them and the police need to treat every denomination/race/religion/ethnicity and grievances suffered as illustrated with both these cases EQUALLY seriously in that their abusers need to feel the full force of the law. Too often hateful placards and obvious anti semetic paraphernalia have been ignored, brushed aside even. Remember the women who had pictures of paragliders sewn on the back of their coats depicting and glorifying the Israeli massacre, all they got from the judge was a bit of a telling off.

Is it possible this awful incident with Gideon Falter May see a change in the way the Met police’s the pro Palestinian marches. It’s been woefully inadequate or dare I say, one sided to date.

The women with the pictures of the paragliders sewn on to the back of their coats depicting and glorifying the Israeli massacre were disgusting individuals who were glorifying a proscribed organisation; Hamas. I don’t know what punishment would have been appropriate, but a token telling off certainly wasn’t enough, because in my view, it sent out a message that has been very clearly heard, and the message is that the pro Palestine protesters can say and do pretty much whatever they like, and there will be no repercussions.

Meanwhile our Jewish citizens hide in their houses every weekend.