The demonisation of Israelis is a “vehicle for hatred of Jews”. It should be recognised as a breach of the Public Order Act of 1986, the UK’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation has said.
The KC Jonathan Hall also criticised police for failing to clamp down on the targeting of “Israeli citizens as well as Jews living among them” and instead prioritised maintaining public order.
In a speech at a Policy Exchange event in London, Hall said: “Let me read section 17 of the 1986 act which defines racial hatred, and I am going to do this slowly: ‘In this Part “racial hatred” means hatred against a group of persons defined by reference to colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins’.”
“The demonisation of Israelis matters because it is a vehicle for hatred of Jews.
“My perception is that if you don’t deal with anti-Israeli hatred, you leave wriggle room for those who indulge in antisemitism but formally disavow it. Once hatred to Israelis is tolerated then it is carried around like a flame.”
Referencing protests outside Israeli-owned businesses in London, Australia and the United States, the KC said there was a “palpable” national security risk when police prioritised maintaining public order over applying the law.
He noted pro-Palestinian protests where chants such as “death to the IDF” or “globalise the intifada” went unchallenged by cops.
Hall added: “There have been protests against Israeli-owned restaurants and bakeries in London, Australia and the United States. In Australia, a restaurant with Israeli ownership was attacked by protesters shouting ‘Death to the IDF’.
Hall, who backed listing Palestine Action as a proscribed terrorist group, said in his speech that for some people all Israeli lives are “illegitimate”.
