A Jewish lawyer was held for about 10 hours at a West London police station, with officers claiming he "antagonized" pro‑Palestinian demonstrators after leaving his designated protest zone while wearing a Star of David necklace, according to footage released by the Telegraph on Saturday.
The lawyer, who was detained at 7 p.m. on Aug. 29 outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington, was questioned under the Public Order Act and released at around 4:30 a.m. at Hammersmith police station, the Metropolitan Police said.
In the interview clip, a detective is seen asking the lawyer, “What necklace are you wearing?” and referencing the Star of David as a possible “antagonistic emblem or sign” in a charged protest environment.
The lawyer told the Telegraph he was acting as an independent legal observer to identify potential unlawful behavior by protesters, but officers alleged he repeatedly approached the pro‑Palestinian group’s cordoned area, filmed participants and breached conditions set to separate counter‑protesters.
“It is outrageous that police should claim wearing a Star of David somehow antagonizes people… In an environment of antisemitism, I will not be cowed by this,” he said.
In its statement, the Met said the man was not arrested for wearing the necklace, but “for allegedly repeatedly breaching” the order that required pro‑Israel and pro‑Palestinian groups to stay in separate zones. The force added that he was warned at least four times and did not comply.