A video of a Met Police officer has gone viral as he appeared not to know whether a swastika was anti-semitic, drawing critics who called the video “Absolutely gobsmacking.”
Viral Video Surfaced
A campaign group against anti-Semitism has called out a viral video displaying a Metropolitan Police officer having a conversation with a woman about swastikas.
“Absolutely Gobsmacking”
Campaign Against Anti-Semitism insisted that the footage of the police officer was “Absolutely gobsmacking.”
Police Officer’s Confusion
The video showed a police officer speaking to a woman during a pro-Palestine protest, where he appeared to not understand whether a swastika was anti-semitic or not.
Arrest Made During Protest
The video came just after an individual was arrested at a protest for waving a placard that displayed the anti-Jewish symbol of a swastika.
Campaign Group’s Criticism
Campaign Against Anti-Semitism insisted that “the very notion” of a Met Police officer not knowing whether a swastika was anti-semitic or not was “absolutely gobsmacking.”
Nazi Symbols Never Acceptable
“The very notion that a British police officer could imagine a context in which the Nazi swastika is an acceptable image to be displayed in public is distressing,” the group said.
Referring Officer to Soldiers
The campaign group referred the officer in question to the soldiers in the Second World War who fought against the Nazis to ensure that they never reached British shores.
A Message to the Officer
The group spokesperson insisted “Let him (the officer) tell that to the hundreds of thousands of Britons” who fought against the symbol “from ever being flown on the streets of London.”
Public Order Offense
The Metropolitan Police revealed that the individual had been arrested for a “public order offence” after waving a swastika at the pro-Palestinian protest.
A Controversial Debate
The police officer in question was having a debate with a woman about whether the symbol of a swastika, used by the Nazi Party during the Second World War, was anti-semitic.
“Context” to be Considered
The police officer insisted that a symbol like a swastika “needs to be taken into context” before being considered anti-Semitic.
Swastika Is “Immediately Anti-Semitic”
The woman replied by asking the officer “Why is a swastika not immediately anti-Semitism? Why does it need context?”
Officer’s Controversial Opinion
The officer acknowledged the use of the swastika during Nazi occupation, although insisted “that a swastika was not necessarily anti-Semitic or a disruption of public order”.
Officer “Aware” Of Swastika’s History
After the woman urged the crowd around her to fill the conversation, the officer claimed he didn’t “have in-depth knowledge of signs and symbols” but was “aware” of their use in 1940s Germany.
Swastika’s Context Taught In Schools
The officer claiming to not be an expert has caused criticism since the context of the swastika, a symbol used by a Party that executed millions of Jewish people, is widely taught in British schools.
Met Police “Aware” of Video
The Metropolitan Police issued a statement on the viral conversation, revealing that they were “aware” of the video and were investigating the matter further.
Public Concern About Video
The Metropolitan Police made it clear that there was a “concern around protestors displaying offensive banners, including swastikas.”
Met Police’s Statement
The police insisted they take hate crimes “seriously” while informing the public about further context in the video, claiming it was a “10 minute conversation.”
Hate Crime Surge and Security
Hate crime in the UK has surged ever since the October 7th attacks in Israel last year, with many being physical attacks on Jewish Communities, forcing the government to issue security packages to both Jewish and Muslim communities.
Dangers of Generalization
The government’s protection pledge is essential while campaign groups inform the public about the dangers of generalizing a group of people for their beliefs.
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The post “Gobsmacking” – Police Officer’s Tolerance of Swastika Angers Public first appeared on Edge Media.
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