In response to the news that the Metropolitan Police Service have intervened to block a protest in Swiss Cottage this Friday to prevent further serious disruption to the life of the community, Andrew Gilbert, Vice President of the Board of Deputies, said:
“We are grateful to the police for taking swift action to protect our community. The right to protest is part of a free society, but so is the right to worship in peace and safety.
“By deliberately holding demonstrations in close proximity to several synagogues and on Friday nights, when many Jews attend prayer services and walk to visit family and friends, IJAN have chosen to distress and intimidate the local Jewish community with outrageous and at times directly threatening conduct. We welcome the news that their activities will now be limited to areas where they will not so flagrantly disturb the peace.”