Assembly calls for a strategy to tackle anti-Semitism

It is estimated that around two-thirds of British Jews live in Greater London and the surrounding areas.

In the last two weeks of May 2021, reports of anti-Semitism increased by 500 per cent across London.

The London Assembly has today agreed to call on the Mayor and Met Police to commission and publish a specific strategy for tackling anti-Semitism in London.

Susan Hall AM, who proposed the motion said:

“It's no surprise many Jewish Londoners feel let down by our city's response to the recent horrific scenes of anti-Semitism on our streets. Something has clearly gone wrong when mobs parading on our streets, and even a convoy of vehicles driving through a Jewish community, can freely broadcast their hateful, disgusting and violent views.

“Worryingly, while anti-Semitism on London's streets went unchecked, a police officer chose to agree publicly and shout the protest's political message. The officer's misguided action not only undermines the force's impartiality but the Jewish community's faith in the police. This cannot happen again.

“Condemnation of anti-Semitism alone won't make London any safer. We need strong action to root it out. In the future, there must be a swifter police response with robust police action to keep Jewish Londoners safe. We cannot allow a repeat of the anti-Semitic demonstrations and displays we have seen recently in London.

“I hope the Mayor and the Metropolitan Police listen and act on the recommendations the London Assembly have made today."

Unmesh Desai AM, who proposed the amended motion said:

“In recent weeks, we have seen some abhorrent incidents of anti-Semitic hate crime in our capital.

“City Hall has been working hard with the Met Police to tackle hate crime wherever it rears its ugly head, but sadly, Jewish Londoners still face abuse on an all too routine basis.

“As Londoners, we must stand shoulder to shoulder with Jewish communities in our capital and call out anti-Semitism where we see it.

“A zero-tolerance approach is fundamental to stamping it out, and this should apply to all situations, including protests and demonstrations.”

The full text of the amended motion is:

“This Assembly places on record its disgust and condemnation at the incidents of antisemitism seen across London in recent weeks. Antisemitism has no place in our city, and we stand with all Jewish Londoners at this extremely worrying time.

This Assembly acknowledges the Mayor’s work to make London safer for all its citizens by tackling anti-Semitism and all hate crime.

This Assembly calls on the Mayor and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to:

• Commission and publish a specific strategy for tackling antisemitism in London;
• Conduct a review of the robustness of all MPS responses to all reported incidents of antisemitism in 2021;
• Ensure the strongest possible action is taken by the MPS against all examples of antisemitism displayed in London in recent weeks, and make clear that such behaviour will not be tolerated in the future;
• Ensure all police officers remain impartial and do not make political gestures whilst on duty, committing to full and thorough investigations of incidents where reports of such behaviour emerge; and
• Ensure that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, as adopted by the Mayor and Assembly, is strongly enforced across London.

We recognise that ultimately the power to ban protests lies solely with the Home Secretary, who should carefully scrutinise future requests for demonstrations to ensure a zero-tolerance approach against any antisemitic speech or imagery, and not approve any future demonstration without sufficient guarantees that such behaviour will not be permitted and will be swiftly dealt with if it arises.”