Police issue threat to Gaza protesters as row breaks out over march near synagogue
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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are set to clash with police after refusing a Met request not to march from the BBC’s HQ due to its closeness to a synagogue. The Met Police had warned the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) that plans to march from the BBC HQ in Portland Place on January 18 would cause “serious disruption” due to the proximity of the Central Synagogue.
But in a statement, the PSC vowed to continue its ‘line-up’ for the demonstration from the BBC headquarters, accusing the Corporation of bias in its coverage. The planned route has been opposed by scores of MPs from across the major parties due to the potential impact on the synagogue during the Sabbath.
The letter has been signed by at least 83 people, including Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs. It reads: “We the undersigned are writing to ask the Metropolitan Police to protect the Jewish community by ensuring protest marches do not go anywhere close to synagogues.
“Members of the congregation at Central and other London synagogues have suffered massive disruption to their Shabbat services from marches taking place on Saturdays for more than a year. “The effect has been that many Jewish families have been intimidated by large protests and stayed away.
“There are other assembly points and routes which do not go close to synagogues and there is no reason the Met should not ensure the protesters stick to only these.”. The Met could place conditions on the march if the PSC continues to stick to its proposed route.
