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MPs call for action to protect Golders Green community ahead of neo-Nazi rally

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A group of MPs has called for “every measure” to be taken to protect the Golders Green community ahead of a planned neo-Nazi demonstration next week.

Led by Hampstead and Kilburn MP Tulip Siddiq, they have signed an early day motion in Parliament praising the efforts of campaigners to ban the July 4 protest in the heart of the north-west London Jewish community.

Ms Siddiq’s motion is sponsored by fellow Labour MPs Sadiq Khan, Wes Streeting and Ruth Smeeth.

They also called on Home Secretary Theresa May to take further action to stop offensive protests and demonstrations.

The motion states: “That this house notes with concern the planned neo-Nazi demonstration in Golders Green on 4th July; highlights that this rally is due to take place on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, in an area in which 40% of the population is Jewish; praises the public activism in opposition to the rally – and particularly the change.org petition to ban it, and the work of Hope Not Hate and the London Jewish Forum, under the umbrella of the Golders Green Together campaign, to promote solidarity and celebrate diversity in the local area; believes that every measure should be taken to protect Golders Green’s vibrant community from provocation and abuse, and calls on the Home Secretary to consider what further actions the government could take to isolate the politics of hate and division on our streets.”

Ms Siddiq's constituency borders the Golders Green area.

The motion was also sponsored by Conservative MP Peter Bottomley.

On Sunday, volunteers handed out leaflets on behalf of the Golders Green Together group, formed by the Board of Deputies, London Jewish Forum and anti-fascist group Hope Not Hate, to counter the demonstration.

Neo-Nazis plan to destroy Israeli flags and attend a secret burning of the Talmud ahead of the event on Saturday week.

Earlier this month Golders Green MP Mike Freer asked David Cameron what more could be done about the protest at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons.

Mr Cameron said activists should face “the full force of the law”.

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