British police issue series of apologies after cop threatens to arrest 'quite openly Jewish' Londoner



London's Metropolitan Police have issued multiple apologies after threatening to arrest a man who dared to be "quite openly Jewish" in the English capital's Aldwych area.

A police sergeant instructed Gideon Falter, the head of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, not to cross the street Saturday over concerns that his presence might vex some of the tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian radicals who took to the streets of London demanding both a ceasefire and that the British government cut off its supply of arms to Israel.

Footage shows the confrontation between police and Gideon Falter, whom the Telegraph indicated was walking with friends after attending synagogue, wearing his kippah cap and carrying a bag containing his prayer shawl.

In one clip, the sergeant can be heard saying, "I'm sure there are an awful lot of people of all sorts of faiths and creeds who want to go where they want. But unfortunately, today is different."

"So basically, because I'm Jewish, I can't cross the road today?" asked Falter.

"Because of the march," said the sergeant.

Falter pressed the issue, saying, "Yes, because I am Jewish?"

"That is part of — unfortunately part of the fact," said the sergeant.

In another clip, Falter can be both heard emphasizing that he wants to leave and seen attempting to press on; however, the sergeant holds him back, saying, "When the crowd is gone I will happily escort you out. ... I don't want anybody antagonizing anybody."

"I just want to walk across," says Falter.

The sergeant makes clear that he is concerned about Falter's apparently provocative identity.

"At the moment, sir, you are quite openly Jewish," he tells Falter. "This is a pro-Palestinian march. I am not accusing you of anything, but I am worried about the reaction to your presence."

Falter was later told that he would be arrested if he remained in the area.

"If you choose to remain here — because you are causing a breach of the peace with all these other people — you will be arrested," said the sergeant.

\u201cYou are quite openly Jewish. This is a pro-Palestinian march. I am not accusing you of anything, but I am worried about the reaction to your presence.\u201d\n\nEnough is enough. It is time for a major change.\n\nOn Saturday 27th April \u2014 the next anti-Israel march \u2014 we are asking you,\u2026
— (@)

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist initially released a statement claiming the "video posted by the Campaign Against Antisemitism will further dent the confidence of many Jewish Londoners which is the opposite of what any of us want."

"In recent weeks we've seen a new trend emerge, with those opposed to the main protests appearing along the route to express their views," continued Twist. "The fact that those who do this often film themselves while doing so suggests they must know that their presence is provocative, that they're inviting a response and that they're increasing the likelihood of an altercation."

The Metropolitan Police later issued a double apology, first apologizing for Twist's remarks and then for the initial "openly Jewish" remarks.

Concerning Twist's statement, the Met Police stressed, "Being Jewish is not a provocation. Jewish Londoners must be able to feel safe in this city."

Concerning the video of the sergeant threatening arrest over Falter being "openly Jewish" in an apparently inopportune place, the police said, "We are aware of this video and fully acknowledge the worry it has caused, not only to those featured, but also anyone who watches it, and will review the circumstances."

"We have always said that we recognize the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to be an issue of concern for many Londoners, and this includes the regular protests and marches in central London," continued the statement. "Everyone has the right to travel throughout the capital in safety."

The Campaign Against Antisemitism wrote on X, "It is the right of every Londoner, Jewish or not, to walk freely around the city. If police threaten Jews with arrest for doing so or consider the mere presence of Jews to be 'antagonistic', then the Met has decided wholesale to curtail the rights of Jews in order to appease lawless mobs."

Falter has criticized the police further, suggesting that instead of "addressing that threat of anti-Semitic violence, the Met's policy instead seems to be that law-abiding Jewish Londoners should not be in the parts of London where these marches are taking place," reported the Telegraph.

"In other words, that they are no-go zones for Jews," added Falter.

Falter has indicated he plans to "go for a walk" on April 27 "as a private individual, as a Londoner, [and] as a Jew," and has invited others to join him.

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First silent prayer, now gospel music: British constable accosts singer for Christian music 'outside of church grounds'



A Christian singer was recently accosted by a special constable in London for daring to sing gospel music "outside of church grounds." The Metropolitan Police Service, which may have emboldened the constable with a track record of arresting Christians engaged in silent prayer, has indicated it is now investigating the matter.

Harmonie London is a 20-year-old gospel singer who performs around the English capital and routinely shares videos of pedestrians' reactions to her music on social media. On Sunday, she shared an entirely different sort of video, showing an MPS special constable clamping down on her melodic expression of faith.

The video begins midway through a dispute over a performance on Oxford Street in London.

"Religion you're allowed to do anywhere," London tells the constable, who has been identified by LBC News as volunteer officer Maya Hadzhipetkova.

"No, miss, you're not allowed to sing church songs outside of church grounds, by the way," says Hadzhipetkova. Although a voluntary special constable, Hadzhipetkova nevertheless has the same powers as a real police officer.

"You are, you are," replies the singer. "You're not allowed to sing church songs outside of church?"

"Outside of churches or church grounds," said the constable. "Unless you're being authorized by the church to do this kind of song."

"That's a load of rubbish. You're allowed," London insists.

The video jumps ahead to London keeping pace with Hadzhipetkova as the constable attempts to walk away.

"Are you saying that you don't care about the Human Rights Act?" asks London. "You're laughing?"

Rather than answer, the special constable sticks her tongue out at London.

The MPS confirmed that the incident took place in "Oxford Street, Westminster, over the weekend," and indicated police were "working to understand the context in which these comments were made."

In a subsequent statement, London police noted both that they were reviewing over 40 minutes of relevant footage and that the bone of contention may have been a "specific by-law related to busking."

The Daily Mail reported that Westminster City Council, which oversees the Oxford Street area, has a "light touch licensing scheme" in effect whereby buskers can perform in designated areas with a license.

"The officer knows she could have handled this differently and is speaking to her manager," added Metropolitan Police.

Harmonie London told the Daily Mail that she had been singing "Amazing Grace" when interrupted and had not received any complaints prior to her encounter with the constable.

"[Hadzhipetkova] literally marched up to me, stood in front of me and said stop your music now. She literally laughed at my human rights," said London. "She wasn't interested. She acknowledged, she knew, and another officer acknowledged that you do have freedom of religion and to express yourself."

"I sing gospel to glorify God. I'm just literally following the Bible, sharing the Good News. It's just an opportunity to witness to non-believers as well," continued London. "I don't approach people. I don't force people to listen. I sing and they can choose to listen — and if they don't, they can choose to move on. A big crowd formed, they were literally begging the police to leave me alone."

London indicated the ordeal made her feel "very humiliated and small."

Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern — a group that routinely defends the rights of Christians and the vulnerable — told the Mail, "One of my favorite things as I commute to work is to hear Harmonie's beautiful worship."

"She blesses tens of thousands of people in the same way and brings harmony to the streets," said Williams. "We need more of this, not less. It is shocking that she has been treated like this."

Claire Pearsall, a political strategist and former adviser to the British Home Office, told TalkTV, "Really should the police be going around telling people they can't sing, they can't pray, they can't think something? Why don't they go and deal with actual crime?"

Former Conservative parliamentarian Ann Widdecombe told Premier's Inspirational Breakfast, "I think they should take very firm action against this individual, not least for sticking her tongue out, which was a gesture of contempt, not professional. And obviously, she doesn't really know the law, certainly doesn't appear to know the law."

While the MPS indicated it is "working to understand the context in which these comments were made," Widdecombe indicated the damning video speaks for itself.

"I would have thought it wasn't necessary for the police to understand the context," said the conservative politician. "They've got the video, they can see what she said now; is what she said right or not? And if it's wrong, then they should take action."

"I think the point really being illustrated is some people have got a problem in this country with Christianity which they don't appear to have with other faiths," added Widdecombe.

According to the Daily Mail, Hadzhipetkova moved from Bulgaria to Cyprus, then on to the United Kingdom, where she has since taken up jobs as a barista when not jet-setting around the world. She reportedly did not respond to the Mail's request for comment.

In response to significant backlash online, the MPS wrote, "We're aware of significant social media commentary. Some of the comments are personal and hurtful. This is unacceptable."

The MPS' effort to shame critics did not go over well. Various British commentators from across the political spectrum have since ridiculed the "unacceptable" claim.

— (@)

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Newborn baby discovered in shopping bag, law enforcement says



Over in the U.K., Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Simon Crick said that someone who had been walking their dog on Thursday night alerted authorities after finding an infant in a shopping bag.

Temperatures in London on Thursday night were reportedly quite cold.

Crick said the individual who found the child kept the infant warm until paramedics arrived.

He said the baby was uninjured and was being cared for by hospital staff. He noted that the temporary name Elsa had been bestowed upon the child.

Crick said it is thought that the baby is either black or mixed race.

While he said it is thought that the child was under an hour old when she was discovered, it is not known how long the baby had been there when discovered.

"We are extremely concerned for her welfare," he said regarding the child's mother, noting that she would require "immediate medical attention following the birth."

He urged the child's mother to seek help, suggesting that she could call or head to a police station or hospital.

"If you are the baby's mother, please know that your daughter is well," Crick said.


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