Scotland Yard is investigating alleged anti-Semitic abuse directed at Jewish attendees during London's Pride march. The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are reviewing video clips circulating online that show individuals being harassed and heckled at the event on Saturday in Soho.
Reports indicate that Jewish revellers were told to 'go back to your Zionist homeland' and that 'you kill Arab children, you kill gay children,' with one woman reportedly shouting 'f*** you, Jew.' The confrontations reportedly began with chants of 'Free Palestine.' At least two police officers were observed in the vicinity during these incidents, but no arrests were made at the time for racist or religious abuse.
The Met had stated a significant police presence would be at Pride to ensure the safety of attendees. Following the online circulation of the videos, a spokesperson for the force said officers are reviewing the footage to assess and investigate the incidents.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism called for the perpetrators to be identified and punished. A spokesperson for the organization stated, "The transition from 'free Palestine' to 'f*** Jews' is usually silent. This incident shows it loudly and explicitly." The group also noted that while Jewish people may feel excluded from "so-called inclusive movements," they should still be afforded the same legal protections as others.
These incidents occur amidst a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across London. In April, 140 instances of anti-Jewish hate were recorded, an increase from 98 in March and 67 in February. The borough of Barnet, which includes areas with significant Jewish populations, recorded the highest number of incidents in April. This rise follows a substantial spike in anti-Semitic hate crimes after the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict in October 2023, when monthly figures jumped from 61 in September to 518 in October.
In response to the increased incidents, the Metropolitan Police had announced a dedicated 'community protection team' of 100 officers to combat anti-Jewish hate crime, though its expansion would require substantial funding. A Met spokesperson reiterated that officers continue to work to tackle all types of hate crimes, reporting over 90 hate crime arrests since the end of March.