Coverage of the exchange between Gideon Falter, the chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, and an unidentified Metropolitan police officer during a large pro-Palestinian march on Saturday 13 April initially centred on a clip released by the CAA.
In the 55-second clip, the police officer says: “You are quite openly Jewish, this is a pro-Palestinian march, I’m not accusing you of anything but I’m worried about the reaction to your presence.”
Sky News has since released a 13-minute video which shows a much longer and more nuanced exchange between Falter and the officer in Aldwych, central London.
Much of the dialogue is indistinct due to the noise of the passing demonstration, or because Falter or the police officer are obscured by others while they are speaking, or because the pair are talking over one another.
The Sky video does not appear to include the comment about Falter being “openly Jewish”.
Who is in the Sky News video?
Falter is accompanied by several men, some of whom are wearing kippahs (Jewish skull caps). Falter is also carrying a bag containing his prayer shawl. One of the group appears to be filming the exchange on his phone. Two apparent members of the group are behaving as security personnel would, scanning the crowd rather than the encounter between Falter and the officer.
The police officer is unidentified, and his face is blurred in the video. There are other police officers around, some in hi-vis jackets. Most of the exchanges are between Falter and the main officer, but other officers also speak to Falter during the 13-minute video.
What is the reason for the exchange?
Falter wants to cross the road, across the path of the demonstration. The officer refuses to let him step off the pavement into the demonstration, instead offering to escort him around the march so he can reach his destination. Falter asserts he is being denied free passage across the road “because I’m Jewish”.
What is the demeanour of the officer and Falter?
Both are reasonably polite despite their differences and frustrations. Several times, Falter attempts to push his way through a cordon of police, but without using much force. The officer calls Falter “sir” throughout the exchange. At one point Falter says: “Why are you shouting at me?” The officer replies: “Because it’s loud.”
What are the key exchanges?
(This is not a complete transcript)
Officer: [It’s a] big demonstration, an awful lot of people. I’ve been dealing with people all day saying can I get across.
Falter: Because I’m Jewish.
Officer: I can already see what your mindset is, sir.
Falter: My mindset? My mindset is that I’m Jewish in London.
The officer suggests Falter is being “disingenuous”.
Falter: I’m not being disingenuous. I can do whatever the hell I want. If I want to walk to that pavement [pointing across the road], that’s what I’m going to do, and you’re going to have to arrest me. [Falter then attempts to breach a police cordon.]
Officer: I’d rather not do that.
Falter: Well then do it. I want to get out of here, I want to get across there. [Falter starts pushing against the police.]
Officer: I’d rather not, sir. I’ll tell you what, come with me, let’s get you out of here … You’re going to have to go the long way.
Falter: Why can’t I just walk where I want to walk?
Officer: Because there is a big demonstration. I will walk you out and then you can go … You want to leave, I’m offering you a route out.
Falter: The Metropolitan police says these marches are completely safe for Jews, there is no problem whatsoever. You’re telling me I cannot walk to the other pavement, that I have to be escorted.
Officer: That way you will be completely safe just as we promised, so we’re keeping our word.
Falter: You’re saying basically if I have a police escort.
Officer: I’m offering it to you, sir. I’ve already seen you deliberately leave the pavement and walk against the march. You chose to do that.
Falter: To get to the other side of the road.
Officer: It is disingenuous whether you like it or not. I will quite happily walk you there.
[Falter again tries to push through the police cordon. An unidentified voice says: The next time you try to push forward, you’ll be arrested. The officer repeats the offer to escort him.]
Falter: You’re telling me that I antagonise the crowd, that I engage in behaviour that you think is dangerous because I walked out into the road … I can’t cross the road because I’m Jewish.
Officer: No.
Falter: If I take this [his kippah] off … will you let me cross the road?
Officer: No, sir, because I’d have to follow you.
Falter: But if you trusted me to keep [it] off?
Officer: Unfortunately, I’ve already witnessed your behaviour … We’re going round in circles … I know you want to choose your route but I’ve explained several times, it’s a very big demonstration. On this particular occasion, you can’t choose your route … I don’t know how many times I can say it.
Falter: There are people shouting baby-killer and all sorts of things …
Officer: Not while I’ve been here.
Falter: … and you’ve not done a single thing about it.
Officer: I’m very sorry sir, but you’ve engaged me in conversation.
Falter: I have not engaged you in conversation, you started shoving me. [This is not seen in the Sky video]
Falter walks a few steps away and speaks with another officer, who warns him he may be arrested. Falter turns back towards the police cordon and is gently restrained by a female officer. Demonstrators begin chanting “shame on you” and “Zionist scum”.
