Metropolitan Police officers on patrol at a “Lebanon vigil” in London have been caught on camera saying that it is merely an “opinion” the Hezbollah is a terrorist group.
Footage from the event held in Trafalgar Square on 28 September sparked serious concerns regarding two officers’ understanding of the Lebanese paramilitary army, which is designated a terrorist organisation under British law.
An attempt to relay that information to two police officers at the vigil was caught on video, and the exchange was posted on Twitter /X by Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism)
October 14, 2024
The officers can be heard dismissing the comment, stating, “Your opinion is your opinion” and that as police they are not allowed “to take opinions”.
A spokesperson from the police force said in a statement: “The proscribed status of Hezbollah, Hamas and other groups is included in the briefings given to officers deployed to police related events, but we recognise that this video shows we need to do more to make sure the details of those briefings are fully understood.
"Attendance was limited and officers were in the area throughout in order to identify any offences, including support for proscribed organisations,” they added.
“Hezbollah (Party of God)” has been on the UK government’s list of proscribed terrorist groups or organisations since March 2019.
The government has described the group as “committed to armed resistance to the state of Israel and aims to seize all Palestinian territories and Jerusalem from Israel. It supports terrorism in Iraq and the Palestinian territories.”
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “This newly surfaced footage is jaw-dropping.
“It is hard to watch the lack of training of Met officers on display here without despairing. For Britain's Jews, acutely aware of Hezbollah’s antisemitic genocidal intentions and record, it is terrifying. How are our officers supposed to protect us when they don't even understand the law?”
The head of MI5 has previously warned about the significant risks posed by Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah, highlighting the urgency for law enforcement to recognise and address the threats these organisations present.
