Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched in London, despite an imminent Gaza ceasefire. Over 5,000 participants carried signs, including antisemitic imagery like swastikas alongside Israeli flags, invoking Nazi comparisons, which breaches official definitions of antisemitism. The Metropolitan Police intervened, resulting in eight arrests for public order offenses and support for banned organizations. Originally intended to gather near a BBC station, they were redirected due to potential disruptions during Shabbat. Protesters criticized media bias and called for an end to Israeli actions in Gaza. The police maintained a substantial presence to enforce conditions limiting the protest’s route and activities.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of London today, and eight people were arrested. Some held placards that clearly praised Hamas and some held swastikas.
More than 5,000 people took part in today’s demonstration, even though Israel’s War Cabinet agreed to a deal establishing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip starting Sunday.
One billboard featured a swastika above an Israeli flag and appeared to compare Israel to Nazi Germany, accusing both of them of being “child murderers.”
According to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism adopted by the government, it is anti-Semitism to “compare modern Israeli policies to those of the Nazis.”
Other signs of anti-Semitism included indications of support for the banned terrorist group Hamas and references to conspiracy theories suggesting “Zionist control” of the government and media.
Demonstrators had originally planned to gather around the BBC station in Portland Place to protest allegations of bias in its coverage of the Gaza conflict.
But because the station is close to a synagogue and because the protests risk causing “significant disruption” on the Jewish holy day, when congregants attend Shabbat services, the Metropolitan Police said the marchers would gather there. prevented that.
The Metropolitan Police has arrested eight people for offenses including supporting a banned organization.
A woman was lying on the ground when a group of police officers appeared to restrain her during a protest.
A masked protester wearing a Celtic football jersey was handcuffed and led away from the demonstration site by police.
Hundreds of people begin to gather in London’s Whitehall on behalf of Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) protests, with more than 1,000 people taking part in rallies
One man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a placard suggesting support for a banned group, four people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences, and three others were arrested on suspicion of breaching conditions set for the protest. I was arrested.
One of the conditions prohibits protesters from entering certain areas around Portland Place.
Demonstrators held placards reading “Gaza”. Thousands of people marched from Trafalgar Square holding banners reading “Stop the Genocide” and “Stop Arming Israel.” We show Russian crimes, but hide Israeli crimes. why? ‘
Many of the demonstrators held placards criticizing the BBC and alluding to Israeli influence over the broadcaster.
Masked protesters wearing Celtic football jerseys were seen being led away in handcuffs by police from a Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) rally in Whitehall, and a large group were seen shouting over megaphones. This was followed by a cry of “Release him!”
Also at Saturday’s protest, a group of police officers appeared to be restraining a woman, and as she lay on the ground, a large crowd surrounded the officers and chanted, “Shame on you,” “Shame on you,” and “Leave me alone.” Leave it!” he shouted. She’s going.”
A minor scuffle broke out as police tried to push protesters away before officers took the woman behind some barriers as people chanted “Release her.”
Former Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was among the demonstrators and announced he would walk peacefully from the stage near Downing Street to the BBC.
One billboard displayed a swastika above an Israeli flag and appeared to compare Israel to Nazi Germany, accusing both of them of being “child murderers.”
Pro-Palestinian activists demonstrate in Whitehall, London, demanding an end to Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip and for the British government to halt arms trade with Israel.
The protest was originally scheduled to take place outside the station, but was blocked by the Metropolitan Police due to its proximity to a synagogue.
The Metropolitan Transport Authority said further investigation into other charges of abetting breach of conditions was ongoing.
Eight people arrested at protest in London’s Whitehall
A large group, surrounded by police with megaphones, chased masked demonstrators shouting “release them!”
Woman detained at Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) protest in Whitehall, London
They added that if police stopped them they “probably would” and would leave flowers at their feet “to show complicity”.
“Officers actively monitor banners and placards to spot where people cross the line from political speech to crime,” the Metropolitan Police Department wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“One man was arrested carrying a placard indicating support for a banned organization, bringing the total number of arrests to seven.”
They also reminded that there are conditions to prevent protesters from “entering defined areas around Portland Place.”
The social media post added: “Police officers have been deployed since early this morning to ensure conditions are not breached.”
The force added that a woman was arrested on Friday for inciting others to violate force restrictions.
According to police, a 61-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of inciting a violation of the Public Peace Act after she heard voices encouraging other demonstrators to do so at the January 10 rally.
The Metropolitan Transport Authority said further investigation into other charges of abetting a breach of conditions was ongoing.
People break police lines while taking part in the National March for Palestine in Whitehall, London
Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said more than 1,100 police officers would be deployed on Saturday, including 200 from other forces.
Asked whether the Met had a ring of steel around its stations, he said: “I wouldn’t call it a ring of steel.”
“What I would describe it as is a visible police presence in the BBC/Portland Place area and surrounding streets.
“Firstly, their role is to engage with people, help them understand their surroundings and generally carry out police duties as they would on a day-to-day basis.
“If someone is considering breaching these conditions, we have brought in officers from other units, eight other units, to assist. So we have significant forces to enforce violations of the conditions. We have secured it.”
The Metropolitan Police announced on Thursday that it would use its powers under the Public Order Act to prevent protesters from gathering in Portland Place and surrounding areas, “taking into consideration the potential impact of the PSC’s plans.”
Under the law, police have the power to insist that a protest march’s route be changed to prevent “intimidation, serious public disorder, serious damage to property, or serious disruption to community life”. .
Police said in a statement that they considered the “cumulative impact” of Saturday and other regular protests held “many times” around the synagogue over time.
More than 1,100 police officers are expected to be deployed to the protests, including 200 from other forces.
Pro-Israel activists hold rally against pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London’s Whitehall
The Metropolitan Police has set up an “iron ring” around the broadcaster after thwarting a planned rally in Portland Place by protesters targeting the BBC, with the force saying police would be deployed nearby. denied having set it up
The Metropolitan Police announced on Thursday that it would use its powers under the Public Order Act to stop protesters from gathering in Portland Place and nearby areas.
Plans for the protest have changed and there will be no static rally in Whitehall on Saturday.
The PSC described the situation at the Metropolitan Transport Authority as “oppressive” and said: “We once again call on the police to lift the repressive restrictions they have imposed and allow demonstrations to take place.”
The force said it acknowledged the planned protests were “a cause for increasing concern for many Jewish Londoners” and had the potential to cause “serious disruption”.
On Thursday, senior Tory MP Bob Blackmun said those who deliberately gathered outside synagogues and disobeyed police orders should face “the full force of the law”.
Describing the situation in the metropolitan as “oppressive”, the PSC said: “We once again call on the police to lift the repressive restrictions they have imposed and allow the demonstrations to take place.”
“If they continue to refuse and prevent us from marching, we will rally to Whitehall in protest.”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism claimed in a statement that the pro-Palestinian marches posed a “threat” to synagogues.
A spokesperson said: “It is disgraceful that the Met has so long refused to act against that threat and is only showing strength now, when the war seems to be over.”
“The least the government can do is see through this token gesture and ultimately limit the march to a static protest, as we have been advocating for over a year.”
In its own statement, the Community Security Trust, a charity that aims to provide safety for Jews, said of the planned protests: You can safely proceed with other activities tomorrow. ”
