14 arrested as anti-Israel protesters picket London synagogue

Police in London arrested 14 people on Sunday at a real estate fair for properties in Israel, where about 1,000 people had gathered to protest outside the synagogue hosting the event.The demonstration took place outside Edgware United Synagogue in northwest London, which hosted the fair.The Board of Deputies of British Jews condemned the protest and called on police to prevent it from taking place.

At least one of the people arrested was protesting the anti-Israel protesters, who said they were confronted at the rally, according to news agencies.Police ultimately allowed the demonstration to proceed but arrested individuals accused of violence or public-order offenses, according to The Guardian.“We are deeply disturbed at the wholly unjustified protest called for this morning outside a North-West London synagogue,” said Adrian Cohen, acting president of the Board of Deputies.“The event organizers have publicly refuted claims that the event is marketing real estate over the Green Line.It is very disappointing that MPs and other public figures have not acknowledged this and instead inflamed tensions through partial and misleading commentary,” the statement continued.Protesting at a synagogue “based on false pretenses seems to be little more than an excuse to harass and intimidate members of the Jewish community,” Cohen added.Anti-Israel groups that organized the protest, which, according to The Guardian, were led by the Palestinian Youth Movement, said they were demonstrating against the sale of properties in Judea and Samaria.The protest followed a similar controversy last year, when London police moved an anti-Israel rally away from St.

John’s Wood Synagogue in central London.The demonstrators were later relocated nearby while “their ‘protest’ continued around the corner,” the Campaign Against Antisemitism said at the time.The latest demonstration comes amid growing concern over antisemitism in Britain.Last week, the Campaign Against Anti...