Sadiq Khan: Met will investigate Hezbollah flags at London rally
London's new mayor spoke of the 'distress' caused to the Jewish community by the public support for terror
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
Sadiq Khan has spoken of the “distress” caused to the Jewish community by the displaying of Hezbollah flags and insisted he is confident police will “thoroughly” investigate their use in a London rally earlier this month.
The Mayor of London was questioned about the repeated displaying of the flag of the Lebanese terror group at the Al Quds Day march by London Assembly member Kemi Badenoch.
Sadiq Khan said: “I understand the concerns of the Jewish community, and the distress these flags cause many Londoners.
“It would not be appropriate for me to comment on an ongoing police investigation, but the police know how seriously I take this issue and I am confident they will thoroughly investigate the events of July 3.
“I will continue to work closely with the Commissioner to make sure reports of this kind are taken very seriously.”
In 2013, using powers granted by Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, two men were arrested for displaying Hezbollah flags. Kemi Badenoch called for the Metropolitan Police to exercise these arrest powers whenever these flags are seen.
Conservative London Assembly member Kemi Badenoch said: “The fact that Hezbollah flags were seen to be flown at a rally in London without police intervention is truly shocking. Flying the Hezbollah flag is illegal, they are a terrorist organisation that promotes Anti-Semitism, and the police should use their powers to stop this message of hate.
“The Mayor has promised a ‘zero tolerance approach to anti-Semitism’, and I will be urging him to take these flags off London’s streets.”
When home secretary, May suggested that such acts could fall under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and arrests were made during the visit of Benjamin Netanyahu last year. However Jewish News revealed ahead of this year’s Al Quds event that no charges were forthcoming.
The confusion appears to centre on the fact the armed wing of Hezbollah is listed as a terrorist group while the political wing is not, yet the two elements share the same flag. The home office has said “the context and manner in which the flag is displayed must demonstrate that it is specifically in support of the proscribed elements of the group”.
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.
