It is appalling that a police officer used the phrase “openly Jewish” when trying to move Gideon Falter away from a pro-Palestine march (Met apologises for calling antisemitism campaigner ‘openly Jewish’, 19 April). But it’s also ludicrous to suggest that being Jewish would be provocative. There have always been lots of “openly Jewish” people at the marches calling for a ceasefire, carrying signs such as “Jews say ceasefire now”, “Jews against Israeli militarism”, “Jews for justice for Palestinians” and “Not in our name”. The drive to portray these marches as somehow anti‑Jewish is truly regrettable.
Dr Bob Banks
Grindleford, Derbyshire
• Had this been a pro-Israel campaign, I wonder whether the police would have felt inclined to prevent an “openly Muslim” man or woman wearing a hijab from crossing the road.
Coral Ash
Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire
