Police in London Prevent Jewish Protest in Unfitting Area

On Sunday, September 7th, England's March Against Antisemitism is set to take place in London. However, the events leading up to this demonstration have been fraught with controversy, raising questions about fairness and respect towards the UK's Jewish community.

The mysterious "Gewerbegemeinschaft," a business community or trade association, took a stance against the police during the confrontation over the march. Despite their identity remaining undisclosed, they were instrumental in the police's decision to refuse the use of Portland Place as the starting location for the march.

The Metropolitan Police had initially requested a march route suggestion that avoided the BBC vicinity on August 14th. This request came after a documentary narrated by the son of a Hamas official contributed to the criticism of the BBC's coverage. Allegations of bias in the BBC's coverage of Israel have been a point of contention since October 7th.

The BBC headquarters on Portland Place is a focal point of the controversy, with Jewish protesters being prevented from passing the premises by the Metropolitan Police. The police have cited parking bay suspension, safety concerns on Regent Street, and objections from the business community as reasons for their decision.

Interestingly, the Islamic Human Rights Commission, a pro-Hezbollah group, held its 2025 Al Quds Day at a venue near Regent Street, yet the police allowed the event to proceed. This has led some, like veteran Jewish journalist David Collier, to observe that Jewish concerns are consistently brushed aside, while groups hostile to the Jewish community are indulged.

The Metropolitan Police's actions have not gone unnoticed, with accusations of working to undermine the march. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign will hold a demonstration on September 17th, starting outside the BBC on Portland Place. The final agreed march route allows Jewish protesters to pause outside Portland Place to protest the BBC's Israel coverage, including that of BBC Arabic.

The events of the past few weeks suggest a troubling pattern, with the UK's Jewish community not being treated with the fairness and respect one would expect from its own police force. As the March Against Antisemitism approaches, the hope is that these issues will be addressed and resolved in a manner that upholds the values of equality and justice for all.