Does the Met know what jihad means?

Ever since the atrocities in Israel more than two weeks ago, I have had one main thought. Yes, Israel has its problems. But we also have ours. Subsequent weeks have borne that instinct out. For years I have noticed that in all the wars and exchanges involving Israel – no matter the actual size or scale of the conflict – the reaction at home grows worse each time, not least in our institutions.

Last weekend there were massive demonstrations against Israel in London, as in cities across the West. And I say ‘against Israel’ with care. These protests have not been dedicated to finding a compromise between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Few acknowledged Hamas’s massacre. Still the crowds just turn up, as they are expected to again this Saturday.

The odd deluded fellow-traveller can be relied upon to turn up too. Among them last Saturday was the current frontrunner for ‘fast learner of the year’: someone briefly hoisted a Pride banner in the sea of Palestinian and Hamas flags, only to have it torn from their hands and smashed to the ground. But that’s because, as they/them may have noticed, not all love is reciprocated.

Still, even for someone who has expected the worst for years, last Saturday was sobering. In Belgravia a rally organised by the extremists of Hizb ut-Tahrir called for ‘Muslim armies’ to ‘liberate Palestine’. Other protestors in London called for an Islamic state, for ‘Allah’s curses’ on the ‘infidels’ and ‘the Jews’ – and for ‘jihad’.

Thank goodness we have a police force. Or do we? For their part, the Metropolitan Police spent the day in a variety of ways. These included threatening to arrest a couple of lads who appeared with the English flag.