The Metropolitan Police have told the organisers of an upcoming pro-Palestine march to stay away from a synagogue.
Protesters targeting the BBC were planning to gather outside Broadcasting House in Portland Place on Saturday January 18, before marching through central London.
But Scotland Yard has told the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) to alter its plans to avoid “serious disruption” to the congregation of a nearby synagogue – and threatened to impose Public Order Act conditions to stop the rally.
The Met said it had “reflected on the views of local community and business representatives, including those of the congregation at a synagogue” before coming to the decision.
Holding the march on a Saturday – the Jewish holy day – when congregants will be attending Shabbat services, was also a factor, police said.
Responding to the demand, the PSC said it “utterly condemned” the use of “repressive powers”.
“The route for the march was confirmed with the police nearly two months ago and as agreed with them, was publicly announced on November 30,” the group said.
“With just over a week to go, the Metropolitan Police has now reneged on our agreement and stated its intention to prevent our protest from going ahead as planned.
“In fact, the closest synagogue to the BBC is not even on the route of the march.
“Moreover, as the Met Police have acknowledged, there has not been a single incident of any threat to a synagogue attached to any of the marches.”
The PSC did not make clear if it intended to agree to the Met’s request, but said it “remains in dialogue” with Scotland Yard.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “We have carefully considered the likely impact of the PSC’s plans.
“As part of those considerations we have reflected on the views of local community and business representatives, including those of the congregation at a synagogue located a very short distance from the proposed ‘form up’ point in Portland Place.
“As we have shared with the PSC, it is our view that a protest forming up so close to that synagogue on a Saturday risks causing serious disruption.
“In reaching this view we have taken into account the cumulative impact of this prolonged period of protest, often taking place on Saturdays and on numerous occasions in the vicinity of synagogues.
“We know this has been a cause of increased concern for many Jewish Londoners who have altered their plans, avoided parts of central London and reduced attendance at religious services.
“We are hopeful that the PSC will now alter their plans in light of our position, but should they wish to continue to use Portland Place as a form up point we will consider the use of Public Order Act conditions as appropriate.”
Last month, a campaign group chief accused the government of “dragging its feet” on tackling antisemitism.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said 32,000 people attended a march from the Royal Courts of Justice to Parliament Square on a Sunday afternoon.
The protest was a stand against “unprecedented levels of antisemitism and growing extremism in British society”, the group said.
