Shocking footage shows the moment a man spits at a group of counter-protesters supporting him Israel near a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London.
Police are seen talking to a person, who then turns to the person behind the camera and spits in his direction, in full view of one of the officers.
The officer then leads the man a few steps away from the group and pushes him as he directs him to leave the area near the University College London (UCL) campus in Bloomsbury, central London.
The Met officer appears to take no further action against the man, but responds to questions from the cameraman about whether he saw the incident by saying: 'Yes, I saw it, go away.'
The irritated police officer then appears to try to justify letting the man go by telling the shocked person recording the video: 'He did it on your… in front of your eyes. Yes, he doesn't say sorry, but he is rude.'
Police are seen speaking to a person who turns to the person behind the camera and spits in his direction, in full view of one of the officers
The man points at the officer as he appears to make the person who spat at him walk away
The police officer then turns away from the camera and walks away, with it unclear if any further action was taken as the clip ends.
Spitting in public is punishable by a fine, and deliberately spitting at someone can amount to assault. The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment.
The incident took place outside UCL, where Israel-supporting protesters were confronted by a pro-Palestinian crowd.
Police positioned themselves in front of the two groups on either side of Gower Street in an attempt to keep them apart.
UCL students, inspired by camps at US colleges, have set up tents near the main campus building to show their opposition to the institution's position on the war between Israel and Hamas.
About a hundred protesters, many calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, joined them on Saturday, chanting “escape death” and “liberate Palestine.”
About 50 pro-Israel also gathered, The Telegraph reported, waving Union Jacks and Israeli flags and chanting: “Terrorist supporters from our streets. Anti-Semites from our streets.'
The incident took place outside UCL, where Israel-supporting protesters were confronted by a pro-Palestinian crowd
A pro-Palestine protest calling for a ceasefire on UCL's main campus. A pro-Israel counter-protest took place on the other side of the street.
A woman on the pro-Israel side of the street speaks to a police officer as counter-protesters were held on one side of the road
More than 40 police officers were on the scene and reportedly stopped three men carrying signs reading “Hamas are terrorists” and holding Israeli flags as they headed in the direction where the pro-Palestinian demonstrators were.
It comes after the Met sparked outrage last month when an officer threatened to arrest a man wearing a yarmulke for being 'openly Jewish' at a pro-Palestinian rally.
Scotland Yard was forced to apologize twice after a short clip emerged on social media showing Gideon Falter, CEO of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, being blocked by an officer who was close to a protest in the Aldwych area on Saturday 13 April.
In the footage, which was shared online, Mr Falter was told he would be arrested if he did not leave the area as he was 'causing a breach of the peace with all these other people' and claimed his presence was 'antagonistic' used to be.
Mr Falter claimed he “went for a walk” after visiting the synagogue.
Gideon Falter demanded action after being stopped by police after trying to cross the road at a pro-Palestinian march
The Met had apologized to Mr Falter for the way he was treated, describing the officer's choice to use the phrase “openly Jewish” as “deeply regrettable”.
However, the company subsequently issued a second apology after being accused of 'victim blaming', while in its previous statement it claimed campaigners filming themselves being abused was 'provocative'.
A spokesperson for the Jewish Board of Deputies said at the time: 'Since the horrific terror attacks of October 7, we have seen tens of thousands of people march through central London in 'anti-Israel' protests almost every weekend.
“While many protesters may have genuine concerns about the dire situation in Gaza, others have taken the opportunity to amplify horrific anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, while some clearly desire the complete destruction of the world's only Jewish state.
'The Metropolitan Police have made a series of high-profile mistakes in their responses to these demonstrations.'