12/11/24
Met Police investigating fears of 'Amsterdam style attack' on pro-Israel protest against UN speaker
Metropolitan Police are responding to fears of an 'Amsterdam-style attack' on a now-cancelled protest against a United Nations official speaking in East London. Scotland Yard last night said that 'officers are actively investigating the threats posted online in relation to [Tuesday's] planned protest' after a screenshot referencing recent violence in the Netherlands was shared on X by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) on Monday morning (November 11).
The CAA - an NGO established in 2014 after a rise in antisemitic hate crimes linked to the Israel-Gaza war in the same year - planned to picket a speech by UN official Francesca Albanese at Queen Mary University of London on Tuesday morning (November 12).
Ms Albanese recently published a report in which she alleged that Israel was committing ‘genocide’ in Gaza, leading to criticism from pro-Israel groups.
On Monday, the CAA shared a screenshot from a 5,800 member-strong Facebook group named 'Tower Hamlets Residents', while claiming it showed 'threats of violence'. The screenshot - which MyLondon has been unable to verify - shows an interaction between two members which appears to contain a veiled threat and a direct call for violence against the protesters.
The female poster wrote: "Zios are coming to Tower Hamlets on Tuesday outside Queen Mary Uni at 11am." A man then responded: "Can't wait to give them the welcome they deserve." The original poster then replied: "Amsterdam-style".
The reference to Amsterdam follows violence against Israeli football fans in the Dutch capital on Thursday, November 7, following a Europa League match between Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch team Ajax.
Amsterdam's police chief said Maccabi supporters attacked a taxi and set a Palestinian flag on fire on Wednesday, November 6. Then on Thursday, youths on scooters criss-crossed the Dutch capital in 'hit-and-run' attacks on Maccabi supporters after the football match, authorities said. The attacks left five people in hospital and 20 to 30 'lightly' injured, while 62 people were arrested.
Following the comments from members of the Tower Hamlets Residents group, the CAA sought reassurance from the Met Police about the safety of its protesters. On X, the force promised to ensure the safety of protesters while confirming officers were investigating the threats.
"We take these matters seriously - anyone attending should be free to do so without being in fear for their safety," a Met spokesperson added.
Despite being happy with security arrangements, the CAA cancelled this morning's protest after it claimed another activist group 'hijacked' a protest outside SOAS on Monday evening (November 11). The CAA said the group used loudspeakers to shout slogans it disagreed with.
A CAA spokesperson said: "The same activist group stated its intention to come today and this further complicated an already very difficult security situation. We cannot guarantee the security of our protest in an already-volatile environment if we are unable to take charge of stewarding and messaging. We have therefore cancelled our protest and have informed the police of our decision."
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