No ban on Hezbollah flags in London, say Al Quds march organisers
Protesters at the anti-Israel march through London next Sunday won't be deterred from flying Hamas and Hezbollah flags
Organisers of an annual anti-Israel march through London next Sunday will not be warning protesters against waving Hezbollah or Hamas flags – because they do not believe it is illegal to do so.
The Islamic Human Rights Commission, a non-governmental organisation, is behind the Al-Quds Day rally, to be held in London on Sunday 3 July, when marchers will protest through the capital, descending on Grosvenor Square.
IHRC chairman Massoud Shadjareh said: “We do not orchestrate all banners or flags and it is up to participants which flag/banner they wish to carry – as long as it is within the law and does not have abusive content or language.”
Asked about previous arrests of those flying Hezbollah flags, the IHRC said: “They were arrested but not charged and this indicates it is not unlawful and no crime was committed.”
The matter was raised with the Home Office last year, after protests during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to London, when two men flying Hezbollah flags were arrested.
Hezbollah has a military wing, which is proscribed as a terrorist group, and a political wing, which is not, so the question of legality has long been unclear.
In October, Assistant Commissioner Patricia Gallen said: “As the flag represents both Hezbollah’s political party and the proscribed terrorist group, displaying it in these circumstances alone does not constitute an offence under Terrorism Legislation.”
However, while two men were initially arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace, police said they were later “further arrested for offenses under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000”. This makes it illegal for someone to “display an article, such as a flag, in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that they are a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation”.
Protesters have repeatedly circumvented the law by altering a flag in minor ways. This has led to campaigners flying flags similar in appearance to those of extreme groups such as Islamic State, while evading sanction.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
