Jewish lawyer arrested at London protest over Star of David necklace

A Jewish lawyer in his 40s was arrested on August 29 during a pro-Palestine demonstration outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington, central London, and detained for almost 10 hours while officers questioned him about actions they say breached conditions intended to keep rival protest groups apart. The Metropolitan Police say the man was held on suspicion of repeatedly violating restrictions under the Public Order Act after allegedly approaching the area allocated to pro-Palestinian demonstrators, but the lawyer says police focused on a Star of David necklace he was wearing and accused the force of attempting to criminalise a religious symbol.

Metropolitan Police said the conditions in place required members of the pro-Israel group Stop the Hate and the pro-Palestine group International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network to remain in separate areas. Officers allege the lawyer repeatedly moved toward the area allocated to the pro-Palestine group, filmed protesters, provoked a reaction and ignored multiple warnings to return to his designated zone. He was arrested after officers intervened on at least four occasions, the force said, and later released on bail as the investigation continues.