CAA asks police to use Public Order Act powers to address threatened repeat of “Free Palestine” convoy after previous convoy involved in “Rape their daughters” incitement and car ramming

Campaign Against Antisemitism is asking the Metropolitan Police Service to use its powers under the Public Order Act 1986 to address the threat of the returning “Free Palestine” convoy, after the previous convoy drove through a Jewish neighbourhood shouting “F*** the Jews…rape their daughters” through megaphones.

Four men were arrested and bailed over that incident and an alleged antisemitic incident committed in Manchester before the convoy arrived in London.

In addition to this, a vehicle chased a Jewish mother down a London street and rammed her car whilst she was driving her four-year-old child to see friends.

The drivers were alleged to have been part of the same convoy of some 200 cars displaying Palestinian Authority flags, which is understood to have driven from Bradford, Sheffield and Leicester down the M1 motorway before veering into Hendon and Golders Green, two of North London’s Jewish neighbourhoods. According to witnesses, convoy participants shouted to Jewish passers-by “Free Palestine! Go back to Poland” and other antisemitic chants.

The returning convoy is due to leave Bradford on Saturday morning and arrive outside Number 10 Downing Street at 1pm.

Under sections 12 and 13 of the Public Order Act 1986, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service may, with the consent of the Home Secretary, prohibit processions or impose specific conditions upon them.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Less than one month after the ‘Free Palestine’ convoy drove through a Jewish area of London shouting “F*** the Jews…rape their daughters” and ramming a car where a mother was driving her four-year-old child, it is returning this weekend.

“We are in talks with the Metropolitan Police Service to use its powers under the Public Order Act to ensure that the malicious acts of hatred we saw last month do not reoccur and that they prioritise the safety of the Jewish community.”We are also having ongoing discussions with the Met regarding recent events, including the investigation into the previous convoy, to ensure that offenders are brought to justice.

“Protest is one thing, but intimidation and violent hatred have absolutely no place on our streets, and anyone victimising British Jews must face the full force of the law.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s analysis of Home Office statistics shows that an average of over three hate crimes are directed at Jews every single day in England and Wales, with Jews almost four times more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other faith group.