Met Police: Over 130 people arrested for anti-Jewish and Muslim hate crimes since Israel-Hamas war began

133 people have been arrested and 26 charged with alleged antisemitism and Islamophobia offences in London since Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel, says Scotland Yard.

Thousands of people have been attending protests across the capital since the conflict started in the Middle East on October 7.

Scotland Yard says that as London enters into its fourth weekend of protests officers are “sharpening” their approach to those who use peaceful protest as a cover to commit offences as hate crime continues to rise in London.

The Metropolitan Police have arrested a total of 133 people under Operation Brock, its response to hate crimes and racially aggravated offences.

Of these, 14 have been charged with allegations of anti-Semitism and six for Islamophobia. A further six are for faith hate, criminal damage and other matters.

The others are charged with faith hate, criminal damage and other matters.

In addition, three women have been held for terrorism offences, two after being seen wearing images of paragliders and a third suspected of supporting Hamas online.

Commander Karen Findlay, who is responsible for policing in London this week, said: “As we enter the fourth weekend of protest it is only right we continue to review and refine our policing approach.

“I have heard first hand from faith leaders and others of the devastating impact of recent events for Londoners.

“Hate crime sadly continues to rise. This will not be tolerated.

“My message to our officers is clear – we will be taking positive action at every opportunity when we are alerted to crimes, particularly those which are inflammatory and fuelled by hate.

“We will do everything in our power to ensure a fast, timely response and the necessary intervention.”

Since October 7, the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit has also received more than 1,800 public referrals about potential online terrorist or criminal activity relating to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Supporting any proscribed terrorist groups here in the UK – whether it be online or in the real world – is a serious offence.

“We will look to investigate and take action where we find evidence of people doing this.

“We’re receiving hundreds of referrals of potential criminal and terrorist activity online every week, and I thank the public for doing this. These reports are taken seriously and where we identify potential terrorist activity, we will take action.”

This comes as tens of thousands of demonstrators are planning to take to the streets, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war on Armistice Day, Saturday November 11 or Remembrance Sunday.

There are fears the march could disrupt the two-minute silence commemorating the war dead and the daytime and evening Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, with the latter performance usually attended by royals.

On the reported demo planned for Remembrance Sunday, a Met spokesman added: “Officers will be deployed across London on November 11 and 12 as part of a significant policing and security operation.

“We’re absolutely committed to ensuring the safety and security of anyone attending commemorative events.

“We know that this year, there are concerns about a demonstration by pro-Palestinian campaigners.

“The protest organisers have not indicated any plans to protest on Remembrance Sunday. They have shared their intentions to hold a significant demonstration on Saturday but are engaging with our officers and have said they are willing to avoid the Whitehall area, recognising the sensitivities around the date.

“This is a weekend with huge national significance. We will use all the powers available to us to ensure anyone intent on disrupting it will not succeed.”