Members of a Jewish anti-Occupation group have spoken of their disappointment that police officers were called to a demonstration they staged outside of the Board of Deputies’ offices.
Na’amod UK, predominately made up of activists in their 20s and 30s, said they staged the protest because the Board is yet to condemn Israel's plan to demolish Khan al-Ahmar, a Bedouin village in the West Bank.
A dozen protesters constructed a succah outside the Board’s Kentish Town address at about 6.30pm on September 27, where they also said prayers and sang Succot songs and streamed it on their Facebook page.
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the premises, which the Board shares with UJIA, shortly before 7pm.
A police spokesman said: “Officers attended and found a small group carrying out a lawful peaceful protest. No offences were disclosed.”
A Board spokesman accused Na’amod of “staging a demonstration on private property at a sensitive location”, also accusing the group of “defacing our Succah”. Na’amod has denied this.
Tommer Spence, who was among the demonstrators, told the JC: “[The police] turned up and approached as we were finishing up. Then they went inside the Board’s office and were let in. It’s clear someone was expecting them.
“I find it pretty appalling that the Board would accuse us of defacing their Succah. We had some signs which had been leaned against the Succah...
"Our position is that demolitions are a widely-used tactic of the military to threaten or displace Palestinians. We are against all demolitions. This is not a controversial issue.”
The JC understands the Board's policy is to abstain from commenting on Israeli policies, other than in exceptional circumstances.
Last month, Israel’s Supreme Court upheld a demolition order on Khan al-Ahmar, which the government ruled was built illegally.
Opponents argue that building permits are inordinately difficult to attain for Palestinians, and that Khan al-Ahmar's Bedouin inhabitants were initially displaced from the Negev Desert.
Its 180 residents have braced themselves for forcible eviction after an injunction against the demolition expired on October 1.
On September 13, the Reform and Liberal Judaism movements condemned the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar, citing fears that it “will set the stage for the further expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.”
Na’amod was formed over the summer as a core group of around 20 activists. Some of its founding members took part controversial “Kaddish for Gaza” event held in Westminster in May.
The group says it seeks to “end our community’s support for Israel’s occupation, and to mobilise it in the struggle for freedom and equality for all Palestinians and Israelis.”
In July, police escorted Na'amod activists from Luton Airport premises after they attempted to speak to Birthright tour participants about the Israeli Occupation.
