Police escorted two Jewish men off a bus during a Palestine Action protest in London after the men waved an Israeli flag and were surrounded by hostile demonstrators, igniting controversy over alleged “two-tier policing” and free expression rights.
At a Glance
- The incident occurred during a Palestine Action demonstration at Trafalgar Square on June 22, 2025
- The two Jewish men waved an Israeli flag and were surrounded by chanting protesters
- Police warned the men they risked breaching the peace and guided them onto a bus for their safety
- Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley defended the move as a de-escalation tactic
- Critics accused police of bias and suppressing counter-protest expression
Flag-Waving Sparks Police Intervention
A Palestine Action protest against an Israeli arms manufacturer turned volatile when two Jewish counter-protesters began waving an Israeli flag amid the crowd in Trafalgar Square. Demonstrators surrounded them, shouting “Zionist scum,” prompting police to intervene. As reported by The Telegraph, officers warned the men that continuing to display the flag risked escalating tensions and breaching public order laws.
In an effort to diffuse the situation, police guided the men onto a double-decker bus. The men later accused police of enforcing “two-tier policing,” arguing they had been targeted for expressing their views while hostile protesters faced no similar restriction.
Commissioner Defends Police Tactics
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley defended the officers’ actions, comparing the situation to “a Spurs fan walking among Arsenal fans” and calling it “damn stupid” behavior in a volatile environment. He told The Telegraph the intervention aimed to prevent physical conflict, not suppress free speech.
Police later clarified that the removal was solely for safety reasons, adding that had roles been reversed—for example, pro-Palestine protesters in a pro-Israel crowd—the same steps would have been taken.
Broader Tensions Around Protest Policing
The episode comes as the UK government prepares to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organization following recent sabotage actions at RAF Brize Norton, according to The Telegraph.
Civil rights advocates warn that perceived inconsistencies in protest policing—especially when based on identity or viewpoint—risk damaging public trust. As similar demonstrations continue across London, the Met faces scrutiny over whether its “safety-first” policies may unintentionally stifle lawful expression.
