The Metropolitan Police say that the arrest, which took place at a pro-Palestine protest in August, was not because of his necklace
October 19, 2025 12:39
A Jewish lawyer has claimed he was arrested after his Star of David neck chain caused “offence to pro-Palestine” protestors
The man, who is in his 40s, and wants to remain anonymous, was apprehended on August 29 at a protest outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington.
After being handcuffed and taken in a police car to Hammersmith station for questioning, the Metropolitan Police officer interviewing him asked him what necklace he was wearing.
"A Star of David," the man replied.
The interviewing officer said that arresting officers “noted in their statement that they believe because the Star of David was out and present to people that may take either offence to the presence of it, they felt it was antagonising the situation further."
The man, who said was kept handcuffed and in police custody for ten hours, had insisted that he was at the protest for legal observations, but officers accused him of antagonising the crowd and being part of a counter-protest.
The man, who claims he was released at 4:30am the following morning, has since told the Telegraph: “It is outrageous that police should claim wearing a Star of David somehow antagonises people. When it was first raised in the police interview, it rang alarm bells for me immediately. Police crossed the line.
“They [the police] are trying to criminalise the wearing of a Star of David. They said I was antagonising and agitating pro-Palestine protesters with my Star of David. In an environment of antisemitism, I will not be cowed by this. I will carry on wearing it.”
Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s minister of foreign affairs, said in response to the claims: “The Star of David is a symbol of Jewish identity, not provocation.
“The fact that Jews are warned in central London not to display it publicly shows how rampant anti-Semitism spread through hateful pro-Palestinian marches in Britain has poisoned the streets.
“This is a moral disgrace. The British authorities must act: ban anti-Semitic slogans and conduct a full institutional review.”
The man was released on bail and is still under investigation.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “The claim that this man was arrested for wearing a star of David necklace is not true. He was arrested for allegedly repeatedly breaching Public Order Act conditions that were in place to keep opposing protest groups apart.
“The conditions required protesters from the pro-Israel group, Stop the Hate, to remain in one area while protesters from the pro-Palestinian group, [International Jewish anti-Zionist network (IJAN)], were required to remain in a separate area.
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.