A pro-Israel group has instructed its members to “come into direct contact” with campaigners for Israel boycotts in a bid to prompt the police to provide it with greater protection.
In a letter seen by the JC, Daniel Laurence urged members of the Sussex Friends of Israel on Tuesday to inform them of the plan to relocate Saturday’s planned demonstration from Brighton’s New Road to the area beneath the city’s Jubilee clock tower.
The clock tower, a prominent local landmark, is often used as a venue for protests. The Brighton chapter of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and local BDS activists frequently congregate in the area.
After clashes with pro-Palestinian activists outside an Israeli-owned shop in 2013, the Sussex Friends of Israel group said it decided to move to a “neutral location” in order to avoid confrontations.
But members claimed that, although police monitor demonstrations at the clock tower, there is “a complete lack of support” during protests on New Road.
Mr Laurence, who takes responsibility for the group’s “street advocacy”, wrote: “While on the surface this may appear to be a recipe for disaster, after much discussion we feel we have no choice but to do this.”
“We therefore feel we have no choice but to go back to the clock tower where we will come into direct contact with the BDS, with the hope that this will force the hands of the Police to manage to the two opposing groups, and thereby providing the Police presence we need.”
Sussex Police told the JC it was aware of Sussex Friends of Israel’s plans to change the venue of its demonstration, but declined to comment further.
Mr Laurence later said his group is committed to “peaceful advocacy for Israel”, adding that some members feel “vulnerable” at the New Road venue, which has fewer CCTV cameras than the clock tower.
A spokesman for the group said: “Mr Laurence’s letter was sent out of his concern about the vulnerability of the group made up mainly of pensioners.
“It was sent to a closed group of people who shared his frustrations. While it was badly worded, the intent was not to be provocative, rather to be in a location where they would be more visible and where there was CCTV coverage.”
The Board of Deputies came to the defence of the Sussex Friends of Israel, commending the group’s “solidarity to Israel despite the hostile environment”.
A spokesman added: “: “Sussex Friends of Israel is run by incredibly dedicated volunteers. We hope that the police and all participants will take adequate steps to ensure that a diversity of views can be shared peaceably.”
The Community Security Trust declined to comment.
