Barnet Council’s cabinet member for community cohesion said Hendon protest was “deeply concerning and unacceptable” given the recent attack in Golders Green, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter

Hendon town centre (credit Google) and (inset) Monday's protest — Hendon town centre (credit Google) and (inset) Monday’s protest

A demonstration by a Jewish campaign group in Hendon this week has been criticised by a Barnet councillor for bringing “intimidation” to the borough’s Jewish community.

On Monday (30th March) members of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) held a protest outside the building of the Jewish National Fund UK (JNF UK), a pro-Zionist charity.

In a statement released the following day, Labour councillor Sara Conway, Barnet Council’s cabinet member for community safety, community cohesion and ending violence against women and girls, criticised the protest as “unacceptable”.

Her comments are understood to be in regard to the current concerns in the area. On Monday, 23rd March, four Hatzola ambulances were set on fire in a suspected arson attack that is being investigated by counterterrorism police as a potentially deadly antisemetic hate crime.

Cllr Conway said: “Seeing the scenes in Hendon it is deeply concerning and unacceptable that protestors brought intimidation to the streets of Barnet at a time when the Jewish community is feeling so vulnerable following the counter terrorism arrests and the arson attack on the Hatzola ambulances.

“We have been liaising with the police and are aware that this was a spontaneous protest, with no prior warning or notification and the police arrived within ten minutes of receiving the call.

“We will continue to work closely with the police, CST, Shomrim and community leaders to maximise community safety at this very challenging time.”

It is not clear whether Cllr Conway understands that the protests were carried out by a Jewish campaign group. She did point out that, as she understands, there was an Iranian regime flag at the demonstration.

Separately, Hendon Labour MP David Pinto-Duschinsky described the protest as “utterly appalling, completely unacceptable and clearly antisemitic”.

On its website, IJAN describes itself as “an international network of Jews who are uncompromisingly committed to struggles for human survival and emancipation, of which the liberation of the Palestinian people and land is an indispensable part”.

They add: “We are committed to the right of return for Palestinian refugees and to ending Israeli colonization of historic Palestine, which is reinforced by US economic and military power.”

The organisation criticises JNF for what it sees as assisting in the seizure of Palestinian land in the Occupied West Bank for Israeli settlements. These settlements have been described by the United Nations as “a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-state solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace”.

JNF UK describes itself as “Britain’s oldest Israel charity” which “has supported the Zionist pioneers since the days of the Second Aliyah”.

It adds: “Today we are working to ensure that the people of Israel who live in the underdeveloped south of the country can also share in the Jewish State’s success story.”

JNF UK says it is “active in every area of Israeli life”, adding: “We are supporting schools and hospitals, bringing high-tech industry to remote desert towns and ensuring that gifted children do not have to settle in Israel’s overcrowded centre in order to pursue their passions.”

Following the attack in Golders Green, Andrew Walthers, an Orthodox Jewish councillor in Manchester noted that Hatzola ambulances are “not just a Jewish service”. He added: “If a call comes from within the area, they will come to your aid, whoever you are. There’s no cost to anyone and even on the sabbath, they’ll go to any case.”

Two men, aged 47 and 45, were arrested on Wednesday, 25th March on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. They have been released on bail to a date in late April, pending further enquiries.

Yesterday (Wednesday 1st), the Metropolitan Police made three more arrests as part of their investigation. A 20-year-old man, a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were arrested at three separate addresses in East London. Officers were said to be carrying out searches at each of those locations.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is leading the investigation, said: “Since this appalling attack last week, we have been working continuously to investigate and identify those responsible. We know concern among the Jewish community remains high, but I hope these arrests show that we are doing everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.

“As I’ve said previously, the support we had from the local community since this attack took place has been incredible, and we will continue to work closely with local policing colleagues to do everything we can to keep the public safe.”

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