Twelve people were arrested at a pro-Palestine demonstration in central London, police have revealed after the protest ended.
The arrests were for a string of alleged offences, including inciting racial hatred, suspicion of support for a proscribed organisation in relation to a placard, and assaulting emergency workers.
But the Metropolitan Police said the ‘overwhelming majority’ of people who took part were peaceful and acted lawfully. Between 200,000 and 250,000 people were expected at the demonstration, according to a spokesman for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Protesters met at the south of Park Lane, holding banners calling for a ‘ceasefire now’ and chanting ‘free, free Palestine’, before leaving for designated place near the Israeli embassy where speeches were made.
Among the speakers was former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Palestinian ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot, who both called for ‘justice’ for the Palestinian people.
A man appears to argue with police as the procession turns unruly at Hyde Park Corner
Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn takes part in today’s pro-Palestine march in central London
A woman was arrested after being spotted with a cardboard sign stating ‘Long Live The Intifada’
The woman was apprehended after allegedly waving a banner in support of a banned organisation
Police appear to remonstrate with a protester near Hyde Park Corner
Just before 6.30pm the Met posted on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Today’s protest has now fully concluded.
‘There were 12 arrests for placard related offences, assaults on officers and refusal to remove face coverings. Thankfully, none of the officers who were assaulted were seriously injured.
‘Despite these arrests, the overwhelming majority who took part were peaceful and acted entirely with the law. We worked closely with the organisers and their stewarding team in the run up to and during the protest and we’re grateful for their cooperation.’
The force had imposed Section 60, 60AA and 35 orders, giving police additional powers, but they have been withdrawn and the Met said the orders are ‘no longer required’.
Police first arrested a woman on suspicion of support for a proscribed organisation, after she was allegedly spotted with a signpost which read ‘Long Live The Intifada’.
Later, while arresting a man for carrying an anti-Semitic banner, a punchup broke out in which officers were assaulted – leading to six more arrests.
Two further arrests were made against demonstrators who refused to remove their face coverings.
Other marchers, some of them children, carried placards declaring ‘I thought Hitler was dead’ and ‘Turns out killing kids is okay, I’m scared for my life’.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on February 17, 2024 that at least 28,858 people have been killed in the territory during the war between Palestinian militants and Israel
Police officers inside the cordon at the Israeli embassy in Kensington High Street, London
Police officers stand shoulder to shoulder as the march takes place. Some 1,500 officers have been brought in from across the country to maintain order
‘Stop the bombs’ was scrawled in chalk on the road outside Royal Albert Hall as the demonstration moved through west London
A mass of slogans and placards could be seen along Park Lane, with demonstrators demanding an end to the siege of Gaza
Tens of thousands of people have turned out for today’s rally, which will pass the Israeli Embassy
People take part in a pro-Palestine march in central London today, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign
A protester bears the sign ‘This did not start with Oct 7’
Besides the familiar chant of ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,’ another rallying cry was ‘Occupation no more, Israel is a terror state’.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign earlier predicted it expected over 200,000 thousands people to join in the rally, which is supported by the Stop The War Coalition and Socialist Worker newspaper.
The Met police posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the incident involving a punchup occurred at Hyde Park Corner.
The force wrote: ‘A man was seen in the crowd with an antisemitic placard. He has been arrested for inciting racial hatred.
‘When officers went in to arrest him they were assaulted, resulting in six arrests for assaulting an emergency worker.
‘Two other people were arrested for refusing to remove face coverings when required to do so by officers under Section 60AA of the Public Order Act.
The Metropolitan Police said the start time of 1.30pm allows time for a synagogue event to finish. The march began at Marble Arch at 1.30pm and will head down Park Lane, then Knightsbridge and Kensington Road
A spokesman for the force said: ‘This is the first time since a rally on October 9 that protest organisers have decided to hold a demonstration in the vicinity of the Israeli Embassy.
‘However, even though protesters will be closer to the embassy than in recent months, the same exclusion zone that has been in place since mid-October will apply.
Police arrested a woman on suspicion of support for a proscribed organisation, as pro-Palestine marchers gathered in west London
She was led away from the procession by officers and bundled into a police vehicle
Other marchers, some of them children, carried placards declaring ‘I thought Hitler was dead’ and ‘Turns out killing kids is okay, I’m scared for my life’
A police officer appears to remonstrate with a woman during today’s pro-Palestine march
Mounted police watched over the demonstration as participants gathered in Hyde Park
Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters wave flags and carry placards during today’s National March for Palestine in London
Thousands of demonstrators are taking to the streets of London demanding a ceasefire
Protesters waved banners proclaiming ‘Free Palestine’ as well as other placards showing the faces of innocents killed in the conflict
Women hold red-stained bundles signifying children killed in airstrikes in Gaza
Another demonstrator chose to use the occasion to demand the release of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange
Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters wave flags and carry placards during a National March for Palestine today
Stewards stand outside the Achilles statue in Hyde Park this morning ahead of the demonstration. Over 200,000 protesters haD been predicted to attend
Banners from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign proclaim ‘Free Palestine: End Israeli Occupation’ while another reads ‘Ceasefire Now’
A map released by the Met police shows the route of the march, beginning at Marble Arch at 1.30pm before heading down Park Lane, then Knightsbridge and Kensington Road
Pro-Palestinian protesters will demonstrate near the Israeli embassy on Saturday for the second time since the October 7 attacks (Pictured: A separate rally in London on February 12)
Police have been repeatedly drafted in to maintain order during marches in recent weeks (Pictured: A protest outside Downing Street on February 12)
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign estimates 200,000 and 250,000 people are expected to gather for the demonstration
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Israel Embassy in London on October 9 last year – just two days after Hamas’ terror attack – chanting ‘free free Palestine’ and lighting flares
This is the first time since a rally on 9 October that protest organisers have decided to hold a demonstration in the vicinity of the Israeli Embassy.
However, even though protesters will be closer to the embassy than in recent months, the same exclusion zone that has been in… pic.twitter.com/67k0zBDqGR
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) February 16, 2024
‘Participants in the protest will be kept more than 100m away from the embassy grounds, behind barriers controlled by officers. They will not be permitted to enter the area marked in red on the map below and anyone doing so faces arrest.’
The Campaign Against Antisemitism complained that organisers advertised a start time of 12.30pm – but police stated this was the meeting time for protesters and they would not be allowed to start marching for another hour.
The CAS said: ‘In previous weeks, the marches have included people supporting Hamas and openly flaunting their anti-Jewish racism, and congregants leaving synagogue had to walk through them.’
Speakers will address crowds near the Israeli embassy and they must stop by 5pm, while protesters must leave by 6pm, police said.
The Met added: ‘We know there will be some who ask why that is allowed or how that decision was reached.
‘It is a common misconception that the police can grant or refuse permission for protests to take place which is not the case.’
Today’s protest is only the second to take place near the Israeli Embassy since October 7 last year.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Embassy building on October 9 – just two days after Hamas’ terror attack. Clashes took place between rival groups of pro-Israeli and pro-Palestine demonstrators at nearby High Street Kensington station.
‘A real risk of serious disorder’ sufficient for the Met to request that the Home Secretary ban the protest has not been seen at recent demonstrations and is not expected today, the Met added.
Protesters will be kept more than 100m away from the embassy grounds, behind barriers controlled by officers and face arrest if they do not do so.
Precautions have also been taken to ensure the presence of protesters does not unnecessarily disrupt other sensitive premises, including synagogues, either near the start or along the route.
Conditions under Section 12 of the Public Order Act meaning that any person participating in the march must not deviate from the route.
Police have also said no gazebos or other stalls can be erected in a specified area at Marble Arch.
The use of further police powers will be kept under review.
All officers ‘will be briefed to be on the lookout for offensive placards and banners’ and police teams will monitor CCTV of the demonstration as it happens.
Commander Kyle Gordon, who will lead the policing operation, said: ‘We are there to ensure protests take place lawfully, minimising disruption to the life of the wider public and in a way that gives due consideration to the cumulative impact on London’s communities and those who feel most vulnerable in the current climate.
Palestinian and Israeli supporters clashed at High Street Kensington station on October 9 last year, near the Israeli embassy, as police desperately tried and keep the peace
Israeli flags were being waved while Palestinian posters can be seen in the background of the disorder on October 9 last year
Protesters waved Palestinian flags and held up placards near the Israeli Embassy on October 9 last year
Smoke fills the air near the Israeli Embassy in west London as pro-Palestine protesters carried out their demonstration last October
Police officers previously have had to escort protesters down to the platform as tensions threatened to boil over
‘The protests we have seen since October have thankfully been largely peaceful and we must take this into account in our policing approach.
‘I hope the same will be true this Saturday.
‘Unfortunately, despite this, we have regularly seen officers having to deal with offences related to placards and other hate speech.
‘We do not underestimate the fear this causes, nor the impact of such criminal and unacceptable behaviour on wider community relations.
‘I would appeal to all those attending the protest on Saturday to act within the law and to consider the impact of their actions on the safety and security of others. We will not hesitate to take action against those who fail to do so.’
At least 28,663 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its military operation in the strip in October in response to the October 7 attacks, where militants killed some 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage.
Israel is being urged not to send ground forces into Rafah on the Egyptian border, where many of the strip’s citizens are now living after areas closer to their homes became engulfed by fighting.
PSC director Ben Jamal said: ‘At each stage of Israel’s genocidal attack on Gaza we’ve seen horrors that we never thought possible.
‘The images this week from Israel’s bombardment of Rafah, of children with limbs torn apart, should be seared on the conscience of the world.
‘Despite mounting pressure from world leaders, and in defiance of the ICJ ruling, the Israeli government has made clear that it is about to launch an attack on Rafah that will lead to unprecedented levels of carnage.
‘The moral imperative is clear.
‘An immediate ceasefire is a simple, absolute necessity.
‘The legal imperative is also clear, the UK must abide by its responsibilities under the Genocide Convention to cease any activities that make it complicit.
‘Our government and opposition are guilty of an historic failure of leadership and principle.
‘They have chosen to take the side of those committing genocide over those who are its victims, and over the demands of international law.
‘We, with the majority of people in the UK, will continue to hold them to account on our marches, protests, campaigns and in the voting booths.’
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13094883/pro-Palestine-protesters-march-Israel-London-embassy.html
