Met Police Under Fire After Pro-Palestine Protest Outside Israeli Eatery
The Metropolitan Police are facing fierce backlash after allegedly standing idly by as around 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered outside the Israeli restaurant Miznon in Notting Hill on Friday night. This marks the seventh time the popular eatery says it has been targeted by protests.
‘From the River to the Sea’: Protesters Chant Outside Miznon
The crowd, linked to the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, was filmed chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” One protester called for a “right to resist by any and all means necessary.”
Police were present on the street but reportedly did not intervene as tensions grew.
A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of stirring religious hatred with hate-filled chants. The protest soon fizzled out after his arrest. He has since been released on bail.
‘Targeted Harassment’ – Restaurant Blasts Antisemitic Abuse
David Goldstein, managing director of TSC Hospitality representing Miznon, condemned the protests as “not legitimate” but a wave of “targeted harassment driven by antisemitism.”
He revealed staff have endured vile racist insults, including being branded “murderers.”
“Antisemitism is surging, and it is unacceptable that Jewish and Israeli-owned businesses in London are being threatened in this way. We will not close our doors,” Goldstein vowed.
Government Pumps £28m Into Jewish Community Security Amid Rising Tensions
In response, the Home Office announced a £28 million fund to protect Jewish places of worship, schools, and community centres across the UK.
Home Secretary has also called for an independent review of public order and hate crime laws to give police stronger powers against intimidation and hate speech.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch slammed the Met’s response as “weak,” stating:
“We saw the police stand by as protestors called for ‘armed resistance by any means’ outside an Israeli restaurant in Notting Hill. This is yet another example of harassment and incitement to violence against Jews and law-abiding people on our streets.
“Hatred thrives when authority shows weakness. We must do more (and quickly) to combat the rise of antisemitism, incitement to violence, and public support of terrorism on our streets.”
Met Commissioner Defends Police as Calls for Resignation Grow
Historian Simon Sebag Montefiore slammed the protest as “disgraceful,” saying “this should not be happening.”
Meanwhile, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley defended his officers, insisting he takes concerns of London’s Jewish community “very seriously.”
Sir Mark said the Met is deploying “more resources to protest policing than at any time in its history,” trying to balance the right to protest with community safety.
Sir Mark has faced pressure to quit after police reportedly threatened to arrest an “openly Jewish” man passing through an anti-Israel protest, warning this could inflame tensions. Last year, he brushed off claims of “two-tier policing” as “disingenuous.”
