Polanski's Concerns Over Police Conduct
Zack Polanski has reiterated his concerns regarding the conduct of police officers involved in the arrest of the suspect in the Golders Green attack. This follows his earlier apology for sharing a critical post on social media about the incident.
The Green Party leader told the BBC that all public service workers "should not be above scrutiny" and that any action taken must be "proportionate no matter how brave".
Polanski issued an apology on Friday for "sharing a tweet in haste" after he reposted a message on X alleging that officers "repeatedly and violently kicked a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by Taser".
Official Responses and Criticism
Communities Secretary Steve Reed described it as "shameful" that Polanski was "still questioning the police's response".
The repost was criticized by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who accused Polanski of amplifying "inaccurate and misinformed commentary" in a letter published by the police force.
When asked whether he believed the police acted with excessive force, Polanski told BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg:
"I was very concerned by what I saw and I remain concerned."
The London Assembly member explained that he apologized because social media was "not the appropriate forum to have that concern," and he also felt the commissioner's open letter "also wasn't necessarily the appropriate forum."
He added that he has requested a meeting with Sir Mark to discuss the matter further.
Following the broadcast, Labour minister Reed stated:
"Polanski's apology clearly means nothing given he continues to denigrate the actions of our brave police officers."
Details of the Golders Green Attack
The controversy arose after two Jewish men, Shloime Rand and Moshe Shine, were stabbed in Golders Green, London, on Wednesday.
Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder.
He is also accused of attacking Ishmail Hussein, a man he had known for approximately 20 years, in Southwark, London, on the same day.
The victims from Golders Green have been discharged from hospital after sustaining serious injuries in the attack, which police have classified as a terror incident.
Political Reactions to the Incident
In response to the attack, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for police to prosecute individuals chanting "globalise the intifada" during demonstrations, describing it as an example of "extreme racism."
Polanski expressed disagreement with Sir Keir's stance but said he would "discourage" the use of the phrase while stating he is "not interested in trying to police people's language."
He further commented:
"I think it's important that we make sure that we have freedom of speech in this country and freedom of protest."
Polanski, who is Jewish, described himself as pro-Palestinian and someone who "cares about Jewish safety," adding:
"There's no conflict in those positions."
Government and Party Positions on Protests
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told the BBC that the government is "not talking about an outright ban" on protests but will take "steps that are appropriate to deal with this problem."
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called for a moratorium on pro-Palestinian marches, stating they are "creating a climate that is normalising a hatred towards Jews and I think they need to be stopped."
Context of the Term 'Intifada'
The term intifada gained prominence during the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1987.
Jewish groups have characterized the term as a call for violence against Jewish people, whereas pro-Palestinian groups assert it represents a call for peaceful resistance to Israel's occupation of the West Bank and actions in Gaza.
In December, the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police announced they would adjust their approach to the slogan following an attack at a Jewish festival on Australia's Bondi Beach, including arresting individuals using it in chants or on placards.
