Chief Constable Sir Mark Rowley will meet the Home Secretary and Police Minister this week to discuss antisemitism, Sky News understands.
It comes after an anti-Semitist activist was threatened with arrest just meters from a pro-Palestine protest, where officers described him as “openly Jewish” and said his presence was “antagonizing the protesters”.
The power apologized but then had to apologize for his apology after suggesting that opponents of pro-Palestinian marches “should know that their presence is provocative”.
Sir Mark will also meet with London Mayor Sadiq Khan to discuss “community relations” and is expected to speak to organizations including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the London Jewish Forum and the Community Safety Trust.
Gideon Falter, the activist who was threatened with arrest, said London Jews Could Not Have Trust in the Police under Sir Mark’s leadership, accusing the commissioner of “victim blaming”.
In video of the incidentan officer appeared to stop Falter from crossing the street at the London protest, telling him: “You are openly Jewish, this is a pro-Palestine march. I’m not accusing you of anything, but I am concerned about the reaction to your presence. “
Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, wore a yarmulke and said he was simply passing by after attending synagogue.
He said he was threatened with arrest if he did not leave the area.
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He told Sky News: “I thought it was a disgrace.
“I couldn’t understand how the police were able to look at a Jew walking down the street and decide that this person is the threat, that this person needs to be eliminated, not because of all the people around who were shouting insults, but because I was walking down the street. street being Jewish.”
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Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley. Photo: PA
Responding to calls for him to stand down, Sir Mark said: “Every member of the Met is determined to ensure that London is a city where everyone feels safe.
“We fully understand how vulnerable Jewish and Muslim Londoners feel since the terrorist attacks on Israel.”
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Admitting that “some of our actions have heightened this concern”, he added: “I personally reiterate our apology from earlier this week.
“Today, as on every other day, our officers will continue to police with courage, empathy and impartiality.”
Khan and Interior Secretary James Cleverly have the power to fire the commissioner, but government and city hall sources said his position is not under threat.
Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism and the man at the center of this debate, will speak to Sky News at around 9.20am today.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
