Police arrest 14 as rival protests target Israeli property event in London

London police arrested 14 individuals amidst rival protests on Sunday, where approximately 1,000 people gathered for and against a real estate event promoting property sales in Israel. The event, held at the Edgware United synagogue in a predominantly Jewish area, drew criticism from those who alleged it included sales of property in illegally occupied territories as part of an expansionist agenda to displace Palestinians.

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We have liaised with the venue and the community security trust and have deployed officers to prevent serious disruption and to deal with any offences, using the full range of powers available to us including imposing conditions under the Public Order Act.

Organizers of the invite-only Great Israeli Real Estate Event, which also offered information on burial services and appealed to those considering moving to Israel, denied these claims. Police deployed officers to maintain separation between the opposing groups, aiming to prevent serious disruption and address any offenses. Commander Adam Slonecki noted the heightened fear within Jewish communities due to recent protests, arsons, and attacks, emphasizing the difference in policing when protests occur within community centers compared to central London.

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We are mindful that Jewish communities are experiencing heightened fear and concern following two and a half years of sustained protest and, in recent months, a series of arsons and other attacks.

Of the arrests, five were for violent disorder, with one also charged with assaulting a police officer. Seven were arrested for Public Order Act offenses, four of which were alleged to be racially or religiously aggravated. Additionally, one person was accused of assaulting a police officer and another of common assault. The Board of Deputies of British Jews criticized the pro-Palestinian protests as being based on false pretenses, amounting to intimidation and harassment of the Jewish community. They stated that event organizers had refuted claims of marketing property over the green line, expressing disappointment that some public figures had inflamed tensions with misleading commentary.

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There is a distinction between protesting in central London and protesting in the heart of communities where the potential to cause serious disruption and intimidation is greater and our policing plan reflects that.