A Jewish lawyer in London says he was arrested at a pro-Palestine protest simply for wearing a Star of David necklace—a claim that’s sparking outrage and deeper questions about double standards in modern policing.
The man, who has chosen to remain anonymous for safety reasons, was detained on August 29th outside the Israeli embassy in London. According to The Telegraph, footage from the incident shows officers interrogating him about his “political beliefs” and accusing him of “antagonising” demonstrators.
A detective reportedly asked whether he was “stoking the fire with these pro-Palestine protesters,” later clarifying, “It’s not to discriminate… However, if we had proceeded with my line of questioning, the officers have noted in their statements that they believed because the Star of David was out and present to people… they felt that was antagonising the situation further.”
The Metropolitan Police deny that the arrest was tied to his necklace, claiming instead that he was detained for “repeatedly breaching” a police order to keep distance from protesters.
But the lawyer, who says he was acting as a legal observer at the time, told reporters this was “one of the clearest examples of two-tier policing you will ever see.” He added, “Police are arguing that wearing a Star of David is antagonising to protesters while we have seen all manner of anti-Semitic slogans on placards and shouted at Jews that have gone unpunished.”
The case has drawn condemnation from Israel’s government. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar blasted the arrest, stating, “The Star of David is a symbol of Jewish identity, not provocation. The fact that Jews are warned in central London not to display it publicly shows how rampant anti-Semitism spread through hateful ‘pro-Palestinian’ marches in Britain has poisoned the streets. This is a moral disgrace. The British authorities must act: ban anti-Semitic slogans and conduct a full institutional review.”
The controversy comes amid a broader climate of hostility toward Jewish visibility in the UK. Just days before, Israeli fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team were barred from attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham over “safety concerns.” West Midlands Police said they were worried about potential clashes with pro-Palestinian groups.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband urged authorities to reverse the ban, warning that Britain must not become a country with “no-go areas” for Jews.
For many observers, these incidents point to a troubling pattern: law enforcement officials eager to appease activist mobs while turning a blind eye to growing anti-Semitism. When a Star of David can be labeled “provocative,” it’s not just public order at risk—it’s the very principle of free expression and equal justice under the law.
In llaces like London and NYC they really need to add a sign. They have the signs that say “London” or New York City” already they just need to attach a “No Jews” sign to what they have. And they call others Nazis?