Anti-Israel protesters picket M&S

The Marks & Spencer Oxford Street branch was picketed by anti-Israel protesters earlier this month.

Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Demonstration and Event Monitoring

Unit volunteers gathered evidence of the disturbing event.

Video footage reportedly shows an individual delivering a speech where they shout: “Victory to the intifada”. The same person reportedly states: “M&S is a symbol on our high streets of British collaboration with the racist, settler State of Israel.”

Inflammatory signs included one with the words ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’. Another sign read ‘Break from the Zionist Labour Party’.

CAA notes that calls for the destruction of Israel to be replaced by a Palestine State is a breach of the IHRA definition.

Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination is an example of antisemitism according to the definition, Speeches were made in front of a tarpaulin stating “Zionism is racism”.

CAA noted that last month an anti-Israel protest outside the Embassy of Israel in London included calls for another intifada and antisemitic chants. CAA added that in May, an anti-Israel rally outside Downing Street featured signs comparing Israel to Nazi Germany.

Similar signs and chants were on display at April’s ‘Al Quds Day rally in London.