London Police Commissioner Meets Jewish Leaders Amid Controversy

• Police officer's comment on 'openly Jewish' man sparks outrage.

• Metropolitan Police Commissioner faces calls for resignation.

• Police reaffirm commitment to safety of Jewish Londoners.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley speaks in London, Nov. 9, 2023. London's police commissioner will meet with senior members of the Jewish community on Monday April 22, 2024 after th

AP

London's police commissioner is set to meet with senior members of the Jewish community following a recent incident that sparked outrage and concerns among Jewish Londoners. The controversy arose after a police officer suggested that an 'openly Jewish' man's presence at a pro-Palestinian march could provoke demonstrators.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Mark Rowley, is facing calls for his resignation as a result of the mishandled apology and the subsequent backlash. He is scheduled to meet with London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary James Cleverly to address the situation and discuss measures to ensure the safety of Jewish residents in the city.

In response to the incident, the Metropolitan Police Service issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to the safety of Jewish Londoners and acknowledging the concerns raised by recent events.

The tensions in London have been exacerbated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with some Jewish residents expressing feelings of being threatened by the pro-Palestinian marches taking place in the city. While the marches have been mostly peaceful, there have been instances of inflammatory rhetoric and expressions of support for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization in the U.K.

The Metropolitan Police force has deployed a significant number of officers to manage the demonstrations and prevent any potential clashes between protesters and counterdemonstrators, as well as to ensure the safety of Jewish communities.

As part of their efforts to address the situation, senior police officers have reached out to the individual at the center of the controversy, Gideon Falter, offering to meet with him to apologize and discuss further steps to enhance the safety and security of Jewish Londoners.

The incident involving Falter, who was stopped by police while wearing a traditional Jewish skullcap during a march, drew widespread condemnation after a police officer remarked on his 'quite openly Jewish' appearance. The initial apology issued by the Metropolitan Police was later retracted, with a subsequent statement emphasizing that being Jewish is not a provocation and that Jewish Londoners have the right to feel safe in the city.