The activist at the center of an antisemitism row with the Metropolitan Police has criticized “outrageous” comments made by a former senior officer who said he would have considered arresting him for assault.
Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, spoke to Sky News on Kay Burley at Breakfast after footage showed a police officer stopping him from crossing a road near a pro-Palestinian march in London because he was “openly Jewish”.
The officer also told Mr. Falter, who was wearing a kippah cap near the march on Saturday, April 13, that he was “concerned about the reaction to his presence.”
Mr Falter has asked Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley to resign and accused the force of “victim blaming” following the incident.
Former Met chief superintendent Dal Babu said he saw the full 13-minute video of the incident on Sky News and saw a “different encounter” to the one Falter described.
Babu said that if he had been policing the march, he would have considered arresting the anti-Semitist activist for “assault on a police officer and breach of the peace.”
Falter said in response: “I think it’s a very outrageous thing to say, I think it’s a very outrageous thing to give any credit.
“I was Jewish. I was crossing the street.”
The power apologized on Friday for using the term “openly Jewish”, but later had to apologize for the apology after suggesting that opponents of pro-Palestinian marches “should know that their presence is provocative”.
The Met said in its initial apology that its aim was to keep people safe.
Falter said he plans to take a walk again near a pro-Palestinian march on Saturday, April 27, adding that he “should be allowed to do that.”
Sky News understands Sir Mark Rowley will meet the Home Secretary this morning.
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