Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Pro-Palestine group accused of antisemitism after ugly row at cafe near Fiddler on the Roof theatre

The row divided social media

Emma Guinness
Tuesday 06 August 2024 06:49 EDT
Comments
(Regents Park)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A group of pro-Palestine protesters were subject to accusations of antisemitism after entering a cafƩ near a theatre showing a performance of Fiddler on the Roof while carrying Palestine flags.

Footage widely shared on social media captured the angry encounter in which two groups argue over the Israel-Gaza conflict inside the cafĆ©, which is a four-minute walk from the Regentā€™s Park Open Air Theatre, in London, on August 5.

The nearby theatre was showing a performance of Fiddler on the Roof, a play about a Jewish man preserving his familyā€™s traditions in a village in imperial Russia at the turn of the 20th century.

In one clip, a man carrying a Palestine flag accuses someone seemingly of Jewish heritage of ā€œZionismā€, while in other clips someone off camera shouts ā€œembarrassmentā€.

More footage shared online captures some of the theatregoers shouting at the pro-Palestine group, claiming ā€œyou are not welcome hereā€ and ā€œI donā€™t like pigs standing before meā€.

The row divided social media with some supporting the theatregoers who took exception to the pro-Palestine group, and others defending the protesters as having simply entered the cafe to purchase refreshments.

The assistant manager of Regentā€™s Park Cafe was subsequently interviewed by a pro-Palestine activist who suggested the group were actually just customers and not demonstrating at the show.

This view was supported by other members of the pro-Palestine group, who were also interviewed by the same activist, who publishes TikTok videos under the name MigrationFilms.

A Twitter/X user, who identified themselves as Jewish, wrote: ā€œPresumed it was an Israeli theatre company but itā€™s not. If this is what it looks like, this needs stamping out right now ā€“ we cannot be having this.ā€

A second Twitter/X user referenced the widespread anti-Muslim demonstrations taking place across the UK in the wake of last weekā€™s Southport stabbings and said the incident should receive a similar level of condemnation.

ā€œThis is a performance of Fiddler on the Roof,ā€ they wrote alongside footage of the protesters. ā€œSo, if youā€™re busy condemning racist demonstrations, but not this, & you donā€™t think they should be prosecuted, stop preening yourself. Youā€™re happy with racism ā€“ itā€™s only the target that you worry about.ā€

A spokesperson for Regentā€™s Park Open Air Theatre said: ā€œThe videos that emerged on social media were exchanges that did not take place at Regentā€™s Park Open Air Theatre. Last nightā€™s performance went ahead as planned.ā€

The Metropolitan Police was approached for comment.

This article was amended on 19 August 2024. It previously referred to a pro-Palestine demonstration outside the performance of Fiddler on the Roof, however it subsequently became clear that there was no protest at the Regentā€™s theatre venue.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in