UK police announce an “affirmative” approach to antisemitism during protests

Britain’s two main police forces announced on Wednesday that police will take an “enhanced approach” to combating dissent, arresting protesters who use certain slogans and phrases, in response to a rise in hate crimes against Jews in the United Kingdom.

The announcement is in response, said the London Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police, on Sunday the Bondi Beach terrorist attackin Australia, targeting the Hanukkah celebration, where 15 people were shot. The police also mentioned many incidents that happened in Britain, including a car and a knife attack outside a synagogue in Manchester in October that left two Jewish people dead.

“Hate crimes are rampant, protests have intensified, and cyber-bullying has increased since 2023,” the police force said. “The growing fear in Jewish communities, and the high number of terrorist attacks that have occurred in recent years calls for an improved response.”

“The words and songs used, especially in protests, matter and have real consequences in the world,” the statement said. “Now, in the face of a growing threat, we will reorganize to be stronger.”

The military said officers were “constantly advised” by British prosecutors that “many sentences that cause fear in Jewish communities do not meet the threshold for prosecution” under the UK’s current hate speech laws, so the new approach would be more applicable under the existing Public Order Act.

“We know that communities are concerned about posters and songs that say ‘globalize intifada’ and those who use them in future protests or in a targeted way should expect the Met and GMP to take action,” said the police. “The acts of violence have happened, the context has changed – words have meaning and consequence. We will take decisive action and arrest.”

“Current laws are inadequate,” said a statement from Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Manchester’s Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson, adding that the force welcomed the government’s planned review of existing public order and hate crime laws.

“Jewish communities across London, Greater Manchester, and the whole of the United Kingdom are already worried and scared,” a police statement said, adding that the attacks in Australia and Manchester “only add to that.”

Police said police would be briefed on the new approach, calling the measures “effective and immediate,” but gave little detail as to what, beyond the global phrase “intifada,” might now be considered illegal behavior.

It said that police surveillance has already been strengthened in places of worship, Jewish schools and public places.

“Our goal is clear: to create a hate-free environment and a safe environment for Jewish communities, while protecting legitimate protests,” the police said. “It is possible for the protest to support the Palestinian people without threatening Jewish communities or breaking the law.”

One of the leaders of the demonstrations representing Palestine in the UK, the director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign Ben Jamal, criticized the announcement of the British police, calling it “one of the lowest in the political repression of the Palestinian rights protest,” according to CBS News’ partner network BBC News.

He said there was no discussion with his organization “before making this far-reaching statement about our rights.”

“The horrific massacre that happened in Sydney, Australia should not be used as a reason to continue suppressing the democratic rights of protest and free speech in this country,” said Jamal.

The Board of Deputies of British Jewish Advocacy Group said in a social media post that its members “strongly welcome this necessary intervention” by the police, which it said came “after repeated pleas from the Board of Deputies and others.”

Australia takes a different approach

Australian authorities are still in the early days of their investigation into the Bondi Beach attack, but they are dealing with it sharp criticism from the Jewish community in Sydney and other countries due to perceived shortages preparedness given the documented rise of antisemitism.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was “inspired by the ideology of the Islamic State,” and was quick to call it “a heinous act of resistance, terrorism.”

Albanese said hours after the attack that his government was “ready to take whatever steps are necessary. Included in that is the need for stricter gun laws.”

Police said the suspects – father and son – used firearms and firearms legally owned by the older man. Albanese proposed new rules to limit the number of guns a licensee can own, as well as revisions to how existing licenses can be subject to renewal over time.

Chris Minns, Premier of the state of New South Wales, where Bondi Beach is located, said on Monday that the attack “requires a massive response,” announcing that more than 320 police “will be deployed today, and we will continue to increase that number.”

He said on Tuesday that the government is considering changes that may include banning protests after terrorist incidents.

“What worries me is that the protest of many people in this fiery situation and our society with different cultures can ignite a flame that cannot be extinguished,” Minss told reporters, according to the Guardian newspaper. “In many cases, especially regarding restrictions on protests, there are issues that affect the constitution. Therefore, it must be written in a certain way. We must be clear about its appointment and the reason for that. I am clear about it. I am worried about the fiery situation and public harmony. That is why we were going to introduce this law. But then it will start, the process will start. you know.”

The prime minister added that there was “a lot of confusion that the protests led to violence because songs were being sung, yet Sunday’s events had nothing to do with the protest.”

Mins said any new legislation introduced would not target a specific group, but rather would only be “effective legislation” after a terrorist incident.

Albanese, speaking in a radio interview on Wednesday, highlighted some of the steps his government has taken to deal with anti-Christianity, including appointing the country’s first envoy dedicated to the topic.

“We have strengthened the law to deal with racism and hateful behavior – hate speech that incites violence,” Albanese said, noting it was also “a milestone.” ban on Nazi worship and signs of hate” received last year.

“We have improved the security of Jewish communities,” said the prime minister, adding in conclusion: “There is still much to be done.”