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ByAnonymous, Anonymous
An Orthodox synagogue has taken additional security measures to protect congregants from far-right protesters demonstrating against Jordanian terror suspect Abu Qatada.
The Islamic cleric is living around half a mile from a United Synagogue congregation in London while the government’s protracted legal case to have him deported continues.
Reporting restrictions mean the JC cannot reveal the exact location of Qatada’s home, or the synagogue involved.
Groups including Britain First, led by a former BNP councillor, planned to protest outside the house last Saturday lunchtime, sparking fears that Jewish residents would walk into the path of the demonstration on their way home from synagogue.
Qatada was released on bail, with strict conditions, in November after immigration judges ruled there was a risk that he would be tortured if deported back to Jordan.
He is currently living in a street that is home to a number of Jewish families. It was approved by the Home Office after protests outside Qatada’s previous home in Wembley, north west London, forced his family to relocate.
The new house is about half a mile from the synagogue, whose officers sought advice from CST after being made aware of the planned protest.
On Friday afternoon Qatada’s lawyers successfully secured a High Court injunction banning the demonstration from approaching the Jordanian’s home. Instead, around 40 protesters stopped at points along a route from a nearby tube station, passing a number of Jewish homes. They displayed Cross of St George flags and chanted notorious far right songs.
A CST spokesman said: “We are aware of the situation and are monitoring it closely. We informed our local security officers in advance of the demonstration and maintained close contact.”
