Demonstrations against Israel, some attracting many thousands of people, have become a regular occurrence. We have grown used to the sight of masked protesters draped in Palestinian flags marching in our cities, blocking train stations, and even calling for jihad. The police, meanwhile, seem to be keeping a low profile.
Such light-touch policing is not normal. Think back to the 1980s and scenes of officers on horseback charging into striking coal miners. Or, more recently, the way women were dealt with at the vigil for murdered Sarah Everard. Why are pro-Palestine demonstrations being handled so differently?
One answer might lie with the police, and their approach to protest. Until yesterday, one person they were working with was the lawyer Attiq Malik, who was reportedly invited into the Met’s operations room. The Luton-based criminal defence solicitor served as chairman of the London Muslim Communities Forum – an advisory body to Scotland Yard.
This weekend The Telegraph revealed video footage of him addressing a rally in May 2021.
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