By David Young-
The Crown Prosecution Service is facing scrutiny about its treatment of cases involving antisemitism, after revelations that it declined to prosecute a case where Jews were subjected to Nazi salutes, only agreeing to review the decision after two of those targeted applied for a judicial review.
It follows revelation that the CPS had declined to take forward an incident which took place last October outside the JW3 Jewish community centre in North West London, where a 29-year old man and 69-year old woman alleged they had been targeted. Pro-Palestinian protestors had gathered to picket a conference held by liberal Zionists highly critical of the actions of the Israeli government.
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
The man and woman had provided witness statements to the police, who had subsequently referred the case to the CPS. When the latter declined to prosecute, the police encouraged the pair to challenge the decision via the Victims Right to Review, (VRR) scheme, the Telegraph said. However, the CPS then informed them that it did not consider them to be “victims” and therefore they would not be able to contest the decision via this route. The CPS only reviewed their position following the instruction of lawyers and judicial review proceedings initiated, accepting that the pair were victims and had every right to use the VRR scheme. The CPS is also reviewing its original decision not to prosecute.
A Victims’ Right to Review of this case was carried out and an independent team of CPS prosecutors upheld the decision not to bring any charges. Complainants have been informed.
In a dossier published last week by The Telegraph, Jewish community groups set out scores of incidents from pro-Palestinian protestors, including activists calling for “Zionists” and “Jews” to be killed, allegedly harassing Jewish people and blocking their way as they attempted to enter a Synagogue. Many such incidents, they said, had been reported to the police, but subsequently dropped by the CPS.
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
The Jewish community’s level of trust in the CPS plummeted several years ago after an incident where a convoy of cars waving Palestinian flags drove through North London neighbourhoods with large Jewish populations. One of the cars had a loudspeaker, and caught on camera was the call “f*** the Jews…rape their daughters”. The CPS went on to drop charges against all four of the people in the car.
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Obviously this is appalling. At CAA we know all too well that it takes this kind of pressure to galvanise the authorities into action – the sort of action that they should be taking without a second thought. No wonder our representative polling shows that only a minuscule ten percent of British Jews think that the CPS does enough to protect them.
“The fight against antisemitism in Britain would be a lot less challenging if police chiefs and prosecutors actually joined it.”
The revelation evidences a level of hostility towards Jews likely created by the growing feeling of discomfort and discontent over the level of slaughtering and genocide that has been perpetrated against Palestinians by the Israeli government. There has been an abundance of anger by many Palestinians and their supporters against Israel and what has been perceived as the double standards of the West in the bitterly fought war between Israel and Palestine.
A CPS spokesperson told The Eye Of Media.Com: “This matter is currently subject to a judicial review. While this process is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar