- Sunday, April 28, 2024
London Muslim Communities Forum chair Attiq Malik is heard instigating chants of ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ in a 2021 video
By: Chandrashekar Bhat
THE Metropolitan Police has ended its relationship with an adviser after the revelation of a two-year old video of him leading a pro-Palestine chant.
The recording, first reported by The Telegraph, shows London Muslim Communities Forum chair Attiq Malik instigating chants of “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.
He led the chant while addressing a pro-Palestine group in Luton following an earlier Israeli offensive in Gaza in May 2021.
“What’s going on is global censorship by the Zionists, global censorship to silence us,” the criminal defence lawyer said in the video.
The chant ‘from the river to the sea’ which means the land between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean is often interpreted as an “expression of a violent desire to see Israel erased from the world”. But some people say it is merely a call for an end to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and its actions in the Gaza Strip.
Scotland Yard said in a statement: “The video shared by the Telegraph today has brought to our attention that the chair of the London Muslim Communities Forum has expressed views in a way which does not align to the Met’s values.
“We regularly engage with a whole range of community groups, many of which hold strongly opposing views. It is important that we continue to listen to opposing views. This is how we put community voices at the heart of policing London.
“This instance has highlighted past language and views expressed by Attiq Malik that appear anti-Semitic and contrary with our values. As a result we will be immediately ceasing our relationship with Mr Malik whilst we investigate.
“We will continue to engage with the LMCF and the full range of faith and community advisers. The insights, feedback and reach into communities across London continues to play an important role in our response.
“We are already working on a new advisory group ‘charter’ that will include a shared commitment to engage through mutual respect and inclusivity.”
