A pro-Palestine activist confronted a counter-protest saying “call Hamas for a ceasefire” in central London today.
The activist tore up a poster blaming Hamas for the Israel-Gaza conflict which was being held aloft by a counterprotestor.
The confrontation took place near Centrepoint, shortly before healthcare workers and doctors were due to stage a silent protest march from St Thomas’ Hospital to 10 Downing Street calling for a ceasefire in the conflict.
Footage showed a man standing among pro-Palestine activists outside a branch of Barclays Bank, holding a poster with words “For a ceasefire call:” above the name, photograph and apparent telephone number of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
At one stage a masked man wrapped in a Palestinian flag is seen stepping forward and snatching the poster before scrunching it up in his hand.
Police intervene to separate the two men
The counterprotestor then stepped forward to retrieve the poster before holding it aloft once again, as activists around him shouted “Shut barclays down” in protest at its investment links with Israel.
Police officers at one point appeared to intervene to separate the two men, with one of the officers talking to the counterprotestor who pointed out the man allegedly responsible for grabbing his poster.
The counterprotestor is then led away from the group of pro-Palestine activists by another officer.
Scotland Yard said it was looking into reports of the confrontation.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/10/israel-gaza-protests-london-hamas-posters-confrontation/
