Anyone seen the video where the police officer says a swastika is not anti-Semitic at a pro Palestine March?

[EvangelicalAboutButteredToast]

I know there are lots of pro-Palestine supporters in this area of the board. If not anti-Semitic then what else is it standing for in this context? Apparently it was drawn on some protestors banners.

Yes, his attitude and body language did indeed make him appear to be a condescending pillock. I imagine the poor woman felt like she was in some kind of parallel universe. Imagine hearing a police officer tell you that you might have misunderstood the context of a swastika at pro-Palestine march!

Ok, if you are going to assume meanings attributed to symbols, what should a policeman do to someone waving an Israeli flag at a "pro-Palestine" march? It could be argued that to many there it is the symbol of an oppressive regime who are breaking international law. Would that be seen as inciting hatred? It's dangerous to try and police symbols as the only thing we will gain is more division.

Are yoy comparing the Israeli flag to a swastika now?

Let me ask you a question. In what context do you think a swastika was displayed at a pro-Palestine march?

'I think if your government is aiding and abetting war crimes...'

What do you mean by your government? I'm Jewish, born in the UK. Does this mean that antisemitism 'should be out on the streets' in London, because as far as I am aware, London is not in Israel.

Oh and by the way, you keep quoting that the OP shouldn't have written on a thread for pro palestinians, but the thread is actually regarding the conflict in middle east... What makes you think everyone on these threads are pro palestinian?

I mean the British government, the one that has been in the news today accused of aiding and abetting war crimes.

The OP specifically referenced Pro Palestinians.

What do you mean by your government? I'm Jewish, born in the UK.
I think the poster is referring to the many news articles today which outlines that the UK government lawyers have said that Israel are committing war crimes and the UK governments continued sale of arms to Israel means the UK could be found to be complicit in war crimes.

The policeman in question will be disciplined and/or the Met will back away from his stance. I refuse to believe this will stand.

I think we know the answer to that, sadly.

Sorry if this has been said before. If the police saw a swastika at a far right rally they would know exactly what it means. Does it have different meanings depending on who carries it?

What do pro-Palestine supporters have to do with this?
Do you think everyone who supports Palestine thinks that a sawstika is not hateful?

How do you know the answer to this? Have you been part of a march? Seen how pro-Palestinian marchers deal with hatful people?

Of course it was it had no other purpose would the Buddhist link be trotted out of it was a far right match...I don't think so somehow and the reason would be the same to intimidate.

March

I thought it was an interesting talking point. You’re right though, it’s less to do with pro-Palestinian protestors and more to do with the police. I just don’t understand the nonsense they are speaking lately. Swastikas -non antisemitic. Christian gospel singers being told it’s illegal to sing Christian songs publicly. Women being threatened for speaking about single sex spaces and the police quite happy to watch those women being intimidated by balaclava wearing youths. It’s just bizarre to me. All of it.

The swastika type symbol is part of Buddhism and Hinduism as far as I know these religions are not part of the Middle East conflict.
There is no excuse for a swastika to be displayed in this protest, in my view it is totally wrong.

So why was a swastika on display, and why did none of the protestors say "Hang on a minute..." ?

If I were taking part in a protest march, I'd want my message to be absolutely clear, and not muddled by lunatics.

Tolerating this is not doing anyone any favours. At the very best, the message is ambiguous. At worst...

Apparently not!

🙄

Are you going to use this post as part of your portfolio when you apply to be a script writer for a Ricky Gervais show?

It stretches all credulity to believe people at a pro-palastinian march were displaying a swaztika because they are Buddhists.

I think it’s perfectly possible to support the Palastinians without being antisemitic. But not if you are waving a swaztika around.

For contrast, this pub lost it’s award for having a swaztika armband. It was a spoil of war to celebrate defeating the Nazis. Not a police matter. But shows how confused we are as a society.

We are deep into George Orwell territory now.

Is this antisemitic?

No, @titbumwillypoo - it's an Israeli, showing their national allegiance, but also showing Netanyahu bathed in blood. Why would that be antisemitic?
I am encouraged to see all the protests in Israel against Netanyahu. There is a huge strength of feeling against him and his policies.

And how do you know that people protesting hadn't been the ones reporting the offensive sign previously? The Met's statement says the individual had already been arrested in relation to a public order offence. The video shows a short discussion between one group of people and a police officer, not the entirety of the police's engagement with individuals at the march. It does not provide evidence of what has happened elsewhere.

You've previously said it seems unfair and unkind to speculate on the motivations and actions of people based on their own social media posts, photos and footage of them. In fact, you were extremely critical of people doing so... Why is it ok, then, for you to speculate on the motivations and actions of other people based on a video on social media that they aren't even in?

@Scirocco No, I've said it's unkind to speculate on the motivations and actions of traumatised people in intolerable circumstances. That it not the case here.

Traumatised people being the ones with the guns, shooting people. Filming themselves laughing, joking and celebrating their actions.

Not the people being shot. Or the people who have had their loved ones killed.

But in this case, you think it's fine to speculate on the tens of thousands of people demonstrating and calling for a ceasefire, based on a less than 5 minutes long video that doesn't feature them.