Following meetings between the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and Campaign Against Antisemitism and our allies, police have vowed to “intervene to enforce the law” if Hizballah flags are flown, as they have been at previous “Al Quds Day” demonstrations, which have traditionally been a rally for supporters of the genocidal antisemitic terrorist organisation.
In February this year, Hizballah was completely proscribed by the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, with the support of the Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt. This followed a gruelling effort over several years by Campaign Against Antisemitism and our allies.
Until then, the British Government had distinguished between Hizballah’s “military wing” and “political wing”, even though Hizballah mocked the Government and said that no such distinction exists.
The loophole enabled brazen shows of support for Hizballah, including the pro-Hizballah “Al Quds Day” parade which is organised by a registered charity. Hizballah supporters marched through the heart of London, heard from antisemitic speakers and even draped babies in Hizballah flags.
The law has now also been changed to allow police officers to seize flags or clothing bearing the insignia of terrorist organisations, and also arrest anybody who publishes photographs of them.
Writing to Campaign Against Antisemitism and our allies, and also to the organisers of the “Al Quds Day” parade, following a number of meetings, Superintendent Nick Collins noted: “In previous years we have seen support for the group Hizballah, including flags, banners and chanting…The MPS is aware of the significant impact that the support for a terrorist organisation can have on the communities of London. It fully intends to intervene to enforce the law, where possible, should any offences be disclosed.”
Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “Hizballah seeks the murder of Jews worldwide and it has made good on its threats, slaughtering Jews from Burgas to Buenos Aires. It was outrageous that Hizballah supporters were allowed to march through the streets of our capital and we fought long and hard as a community to stop terrorist supporters from being allowed to brazenly flaunt their hatred. We are pleased that the police have put in place robust plans to enforce the law and our Demonstration and Event Monitoring Unit will be out in force as well to capture evidence should any crimes relating to supporting banned terrorist organisations be committed.”
