London witnesses a surge in hate crimes during the Gaza war period

London has seen a significant increase in hate crimes, specifically antisemitic and Islamophobic offenses. According to the Metropolitan Police, there have been 408 antisemitic crimes recorded this month, compared to just 28 in the same period last year. Similarly, Islamophobic crimes have risen from 65 offenses in October 2020 to 174 so far this month. The police have made 75 arrests in relation to the Israel-Gaza conflict and are investigating 10 potential breaches of terrorism laws. In response to these rising tensions, a large pro-Palestinian protest is expected to take place in London on Saturday. The Metropolitan Police is prepared to police the march "right up to the line of the law" and has taken lessons from previous weeks into consideration. However, the police have yet to disclose their plan of action if individuals are witnessed calling for jihad during the protest. The controversy arises from a speech about jihad made at a smaller protest on October 21 near the main march. Home Secretary Suella Braverman criticized the Metropolitan Police Commissioner for failing to make any arrests in response to the speech. In response, Cdr Kyle Gordon, who will be leading the operation around Saturday's march, stated that officers would intervene and gather information if someone specifically calls for jihad against Israel. He also mentioned collaborating with counter-terrorism colleagues to determine the appropriate course of action. These hate crime statistics come with concerns raised by security and community figures who believe that events in the Middle East could contribute to increased domestic hate crimes and radicalization. The Metropolitan Police is actively investigating 10 potential crimes related to online posts, including "appalling" material and videoed speeches. Additionally, they are seeking information about three women who participated in a pro-Palestinian protest on October 14, as well as an individual pictured holding a placard stating "I fully support Hamas" during the October 21 protest. The police have released pictures of four individuals they would like to speak to. Supporting a banned group such as Hamas, designated as a proscribed terrorist organization in the UK, is a criminal offense that can result in a prison sentence of up to 14 years. The issue of tearing down or defacing posters designed to raise awareness about hostages held in Gaza has also emerged on social media. The police consider these actions highly emotive for the Jewish community but stress that each case must be examined in context. Furthermore, the Metropolitan Police is providing support to families affected by killings in Israel and is collaborating with British officials for future coroners' inquests. While no current criminal investigations are underway concerning the killings, the Met reserves the right to declare a UK-based investigation when necessary, according to Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of counter-terrorism for the force.