UK Has Lost It Completely
The 2cm Symbol That Got a Jewish Lawyer Handcuffed and Jailed in London
London police arrested a Jewish lawyer for wearing a Star of David necklace during a pro-Palestinian protest, sparking international outrage over alleged religious discrimination.
A Jewish lawyer in London was allegedly arrested, handcuffed, and detained for nearly ten hours by Metropolitan Police officers who reportedly suggested his Star of David necklace could "antagonize" and "cause offense" to participants in a pro-Palestinian demonstration.
The incident, which occurred on August 29 outside the Israeli embassy, has ignited widespread fury, with critics accusing the Met of establishing a system of "two-tier policing" and bowing to the demands of radical protesters.
The Charge: 'Criminalizing' a Symbol of Faith
According to a report by The Telegraph on Saturday, the lawyer, who claimed he was acting as a legal observer to monitor the protest, was arrested at 7 p.m.
The lawyer alleged he was taken into custody in a police vehicle after his hands were cuffed behind his back, describing the ordeal as an attempt to "criminalize the wearing of a Star of David."
The Metropolitan Police has denied that the arrest was solely due to the religious symbol. The force maintained that the man was arrested for "repeatedly breaching" a public order that required opposing protest groups to remain separated in designated zones.
However, the lawyer countered this narrative, claiming the police’s actions demonstrated an alarming double standard.
"Police are arguing that wearing a Star of David is antagonizing to protesters while we have seen all manner of antisemitic slogans on placards and shouted at Jews that have gone unpunished," he told The Telegraph.
He also alleged that he documented up to 30 incidents of criminal behavior by the protesters, none of which led to a conviction, while he himself was personally abused, including being called a "Zionist baby killer."
International Outcry
The reports drew immediate and forceful condemnation from Israeli leadership.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denounced the alleged targeting of a Jewish person for wearing a symbol of his faith as a "moral disgrace" in a post on X/Twitter.
"The Star of David is a symbol of Jewish identity, not provocation," Sa'ar wrote. "The fact that Jews are warned in central London not to display it publicly shows how rampant antisemitism spread through hateful 'pro-Palestinian' marches in Britain has poisoned the streets."
The Foreign Minister called on the British government to take decisive action:
"British Authorities must act: ban antisemitic slogans and conduct a full institutional review," he affirmed.
The incident is the latest in a series of highly controversial interactions between the London police force and members of the Jewish community amidst a record high in reported anti-Semitism since the start of the conflict in Gaza.