The Hendon MP has voiced disgust over an “antisemitic” pro-Palestinian rally targeting a Jewish charity in the borough yesterday evening.
Keffiyeh-clad protesters waving Palestinian and Iranian regime flags and chanting “Israel is a terrorist state” descended upon JNF-UK on Monday evening.
One local Jewish resident spoke of the anger and upset triggered by the protest, which took place less than a mile from the site of last week's arson attack on four Hatzola ambulances.
The demonstration was organised by the same group that targeted Israeli restaurant Erev in Notting Hill in January and held repeated rallies at Swiss Cottage last year.
Hendon Labour MP David Pinto-Duschinsky said: “At a time when the community is already frightened, they have sought to make things worse. It’s utterly appalling, completely unacceptable and clearly antisemitic.”
JNF-UK, which campaigns for environmental and humanitarian causes in Israel, is currently raising money for Israelis affected by the Iranian missile attacks.
One resident of Golders Green, Jack Miller, who was in Hendon when the protest was taking place told the JC: “The anger from the community when these people arrive in our area waving their flags is extremely upsetting.
“After the firebomb attack last week on Hatzola, the community is scared.
“I do not allow my teenagers out on their own out of fear.”
The group behind the rally in Hendon vowed there would be more, posting on Instagram: "We protested outside JNF UK’s headquarters in Hendon... [and are] committed to continuing these protests.”
Pinto-Duschinsky posted on X just after the rally ended at 8.30pm: “I have been made aware of a spontaneous so-called ‘anti-Zionist’ protest that took place in Hendon earlier this evening.
“The protesters chose to demonstrate at the heart of a quiet residential neighbourhood with a large Jewish community.
“[Residents] are still in shock from the despicable antisemitic attack on Hatzola Golders Green, less than a mile away. It’s utterly appalling.
“I am liaising closely with the Community Security Trust (CST] and police and thank them for their rapid action.”
The CST said that it deployed personnel as soon as it was made aware of the situation. A spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police told the JC: “Police were called to reports of a protest outside a charity premises in Finchley Lane, Hendon at 6.25pm on Monday, March 30.
“Officers attended to prevent possible disorder between the protesters and a counter-demonstration. No arrests were made and both groups had left the area by 8.30pm.”
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