The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) is deeply alarmed by recent developments during a pro-Palestine rally held on October 31 outside the prime minister’s residence in London. Video footage and reports from the event reveal that individuals at the rally chanted in Arabic, exclaiming, “Oh beloved Abu Obaida, hit and bomb Tel Aviv.” Abu Obaida is the spokesman of the military wing of Hamas.
These chants are not only deeply concerning but also raise significant security and safety issues for British Jewry.
The NJA believes in the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. However, the line between peaceful protest and incitement to violence must be clear. Chants that openly call for violence and the targeting of innocent civilians cross that line and should not be tolerated. It begs repeating that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK.
In light of these alarming developments, the NJA urgently calls upon the Metropolitan Police and the relevant counter-terrorism authorities to thoroughly investigate this incident. The safety and security of all residents and communities in the UK are of paramount importance, and any potential threats must be addressed promptly and decisively.
We implore law enforcement agencies to take this matter seriously and to ensure that those responsible for the inflammatory chants are identified and held accountable for their actions. Such incidents have no place in our society and must be met with the full force of the law.