The Met Police is to impose an unprecedented crackdown on antisemitism and other hate speech at marches in London this weekend.
The tough restrictions are part of a huge security operation on Saturday to police a Unite the Kingdom protest expected to be led by Tommy Robinson and a pro-Palestinian Nakba 78 demonstration.
People who chant “Death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces),” “Globalise the Intifada”, anti-Muslim or other hate speech will face arrest and being fast-tracked through the courts.
Organisers of the rallies will also risk prosecution for hate offences at their events under powers being used by Scotland Yard for the first time.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman stressed: "In the wake of the terror attack targeting Jews at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, we committed to taking a more assertive approach to chanting and the displaying of phrases on placards or banners that incite hatred or indicate support for terrorism or other forms of extremism.
"In recent months we’ve arrested and charged people for calling for intifada at protests and a number of those cases are going through the courts.
"In recent days, we have charged a man who directed chants of ‘death to the IDF’ towards a group of Jewish people outside a concert in London last November.”
The two demonstrations are taking place after the Golders Green stabbings, arson attacks on the Jewish community in north London, and as Donald Trump’s Iran war continues.
DAC Harman added: "Given the context we’re operating in, the public expect our officers to act where they see or hear antisemitism, anti-Muslim abuse, incitement to violence or language that clearly points to support for terrorists.
"We will be arresting for these offences where we see them on Saturday and our specialist investigators will be working overnight to present the cases to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) for immediate charges wherever possible.
"Not all language we are targeting relates to antisemitism or the conflict in the Middle East.
“Officers will also take action against the anti-Muslim hate we have heard at past protests where it crosses into criminality.”
Sir Keir Starmer announced on Friday that 11 “Far Right agitators” had been blocked from entering Britain to attend the Unite the Kingdom march.
Among the 11 people barred from the UK are US-based political commentator Valentina Gomez and Belgian politician Filip Dewinter.
Around 4,000 police officers, including 660 being drafted in from outside London, will be deployed on the capital’s streets during the public order operation.
It is expected to be particularly challenging, partly as the protests are taking place on the same day as the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Police believe football hooligans may travel to London to join the Unite the Kingdom rally expected to be led by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Armoured vehicles, armed police units, mounted police, dog teams, helicopters, drones, and large numbers of officers in riot gear will take part in the operation.
Live facial recognition will be used for the first time by the Met Police for a public order operation, though not on the march routes.
Instead, it will be deployed in the borough of Camden to try to catch people on a “watch list who may be planning to attend the Unite the Kingdom rally.
Around 50,000 people are expected by the Met to attend the Unite the Kingdom march, and 30,000 the Nakba 78 protest.
The Unite the Kingdom rally will start in Kingsway and go to Aldwych, The Strand, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, before a rally in Parliament Square.
The Nakba 78/United Against Tommy Robinson and the Far Right protest will begin in Exhibition Road, Cromwell Gardens, Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, Piccadilly, ending with a rally in Pall Mall.
Nakba Day commemorates events which caused Palestinians to lose their homes and become refugees during the establishment of Israel.
The Met Police operation is expected to cost £4.5 million, including £1.7 million to draft in hundreds of officers from outside London.
