Neo-Nazis abandon march through former ghetto after last-minute ban

Around two dozen neo-Nazis abandoned a march through Prague's historic Jewish town on Saturday, following a last-minute ban issued by the local authorities. They had originally given permission for what organisers described as a "commemoration of the Holocaust." Only later did it emerge that the holocaust in question was actually "the holocaust against the Palestinian people committed by Israel" - and those attending the event would be neo-Nazi skinheads carrying flaming torches. Rob Cameron was there, and brings back this report.

Neo-Nazis abandon march through former ghetto after last-minute ban

John Bok, photo: CTK

Maiselova street, in the heart of Prague's former Jewish ghetto, as dusk falls on the quarter's ancient cobbled streets. Amid a heavy police presence, a crowd of around 150 people have gathered just a few metres from the 13th century Staranova synagogue, to prevent the torch-lit procession of neo-Nazis from marching through the former Jewish town. Among those blocking Maiselova street is Dr Petr Weiss.

"I think it's a provocation. It's a clear provocation, and I think that it's time to do something against such provocations. And that's why I'm here."

Dr Weiss says it's the first time he can remember neo-Nazis trying to hold an organised march through the former ghetto, now home to a small but thriving Jewish community.

"Until now neo-Nazi groups in the Czech Republic have especially targeted the Roma, not the Jews. I think it's the first time they've openly targeted Jews here."

Neo-Nazis march in Prague, photo: CTK

But after about half and hour, it becomes clear that the group of around two dozen neo-Nazis have abandoned their attempt to walk through the former ghetto. A police officer confirms that the local authorities have issued a last-minute ban on the march.

A defeat for the neo-Nazis, and a victory for the crowd of demonstrators. But for many people who came to Maiselova street on Saturday afternoon, a number of questions remain unanswered. Chief among them is why a known neo-Nazi group was given permission to hold the march in the first place. John Bok is a former dissident and chairman of Salamoun, an independent organisation which monitors the country's legal system.

"When I heard on the radio and on TV that the skinheads want to march through Prague, around the synagogues and demonstrate God knows what, I said to myself: I must be here. I'm not a Jew, and if I am I don't know it, and I don't care. It's nothing to do with being Jewish, it's about defending democracy."

Are you surprised the authorities gave permission for the march to go ahead in the first place?

"Yes and no. I live in a country where a lot of things happen which normally wouldn't happen. Don't forget that these kind of organisations are even registered with the Interior Ministry, which I find very alarming."

In the end the neo-Nazis marched off in the opposite direction, holding a brief demonstration before dispersing. The leader of the Czech Jewish community, Rabbi Karel Sidon, appeared on television to thank the local authorities for preventing them from marching through the former ghetto. Common sense, he said, had prevailed, and this was a good sign for the future.