What's happened
A Jewish campaign group, Campaign Against Antisemitism, has called off its 'Walk Together' demonstration in London due to safety concerns amid threats and identified hostile actors. The Met Police did not seek a ban on the pro-Palestinian march, stating the risk of disorder was not high enough. The cancellation followed an incident where the CAA's chief executive was prevented from crossing a road near a pro-Palestinian protest.
Why it matters
The cancellation of the Walk Together event highlights rising tensions and safety concerns surrounding pro-Palestinian and antisemitic sentiments in London. It underscores the challenges faced by Jewish communities in openly expressing their identity and beliefs. The incident also raises questions about the policing of protests and the need for measures to ensure the safety and freedom of expression for all groups involved.
What the papers say
Sky News reports the cancellation of the Walk Together event by the Campaign Against Antisemitism due to safety concerns and threats, while The Guardian emphasizes the decision to cancel the counter-protest against a pro-Palestinian march and promises of future protests by the CAA.
How we got here
The Campaign Against Antisemitism had planned the 'Walk Together' event in response to pro-Palestinian marches in London. Safety concerns arose following threats and the identification of hostile actors. The cancellation came after the CAA's chief executive faced obstacles at a pro-Palestinian protest, highlighting tensions and challenges faced by Jewish communities in the UK.
Common question
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The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs, are an ethnonational group comprising the modern descendants of the peoples who have lived in Palestine continuously over the centuries and who today are largely culturally and
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Jews or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and a nation originating from the Israelites and Hebrews of historical Israel and Judah.
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The Metropolitan Police Service, formerly and still commonly known as the Metropolitan Police and informally as the Met, Scotland Yard, or the Yard, is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement in the Metropolitan Police District, which
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Campaign Against Antisemitism is a British non-governmental organisation established in August 2014 by members of the Anglo-Jewish community.
It publishes research, organises rallies and petitions and conducts ligitation.
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The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, colloquially "the Met", is the largest art museum in the United States. With 6,479,548 visitors to its three locations in 2019, it was the fourth most visited art museum in the world.