The Met Police has apologised after a picture surfaced of two officers posing with a child holding a Palestine placard.
The photograph was taken at a pro-Palestinian march on Saturday in London and features a child holding a sign with the flag of Palestine and the words “Save Our Children!”.
The child, who is wearing a red and white scarf known as a keffiyeh, can be seen posing with a smiling male and female police officer.
The image rapidly spread across social media, with users questioning the officers’ impartiality.
The force has admitted that it was “not advisable” for the two officers to pose with the child at the rally.
Writing on social media, Scotland Yard said: “We always encourage our officers to be engaging and friendly with the public.
“However, in the context of a protest about such a contentious issue we acknowledge that it was not advisable for the officer to agree to pose for the photograph.
“No action will be taken against the officer who we have no reason to think was doing anything other than trying to positively engage.”
Daniel Sugarman, director of public affairs at the Board of Deputies of British Jews said: “I’m just wondering what on earth these officers were thinking.”
Users on social media expressed their outrage at the image.
One said the force had “Totally lost the plot”, whilst others criticised them for “two-tier policing”.
A third commented: “Your officers could use retraining in how to engage with the public on contentious issues. At least. To dismiss the alarm people feel seeing this as nothing to be taken action on is not acceptable. Police impartiality is vital and you must uphold the highest standard.”
Around 300,000 pro-Palestinian protestors marched over Armistice weekend, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
It was the biggest UK rally since the Israel-Gaza war began.
Officers made 145 arrests during the Pro-Palestinian demonstration and counter protest for offences including assault, possession of weapons, criminal damage, public order, inciting racial hatred and possession of drugs.
Seven people have been charged as investigations continue into disorder in central London, Met Police have confirmed.
Investigations continue into a number of other incidents.
Palestine protest apology issued by Met Police after officers posed with child holding placard (gbnews.com) / https://thereligionofpeace.com/