Metropolitan Police Remove Posters of Israeli Hostages in Effort to Prevent ‘Escalation’
The Metropolitan Police has provided an explanation for their removal of posters depicting Israeli hostages, stating that the action was taken in response to concerns over potential conflicts. The police received reports about the posters, which were stuck on the shutters of a pharmacy, and subsequently removed them. The Greater Manchester Police is also investigating a similar incident involving the removal of posters. The Met has stated that the posters were believed to have been put up as a retaliatory measure against social media comments related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. They have also mentioned that the content of these comments is currently being assessed for potential offenses. The Met’s decision to disclose this information is in response to the controversy surrounding the removal of similar posters in other parts of London. They aim to clarify the situation for those who may not be aware of the facts. Adam Ma’anit, a relative of one of the hostages, expressed disappointment in seeing the police involved in the removal of the posters, emphasizing that they were intended solely to raise awareness about the hostages. The GMP is investigating the incident in North Manchester and has expressed regret for any offense caused.
In an interview, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley clarified that the campaign was not “shut down” but rather the police were concerned about the possibility of a collision between the campaign vehicle and a pro-Palestinian protest that was concluding. He stated that the police were advising against a collision and not prohibiting the campaign or protest, emphasizing the importance of making judgment calls to avoid conflicts.
