A demonstration in support of Palestine took place in central London, with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign organising a series of protests in the UK since the Gaza conflict began. Several thousand activists participated in this rally. The rally occurred as Israel and Hamas reached an agreement regarding a ceasefire and hostage release. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the apprehension of eight people, including one man suspects of brandishing a sign with support for proscribed organisations, and another four for public order crimes.
Law enforcement officers prevented protestors from amassing outside Broadcasting House because of a nearby synagogue, fearing there would be “serious disruption” during Jewish holy day services by congregants. A smaller pro-Israel counter-protest occurred in Whitehall, while a demonstration took place in Belfast and Londonderry in support of Palestine. Subsequently, a group of activists attempted to march away from the protest but was prevented from doing so by police at Trafalgar Square. Some minor physical altercations resulted, and police entry and exit points to the area were cordoned off.
At the demonstration in Whitehall, the demonstrators were expectedly brandishing placards with slogans such as “Stop the massacre – Gaza” and “Stop arming Israel.” AIthough the Palestine Solidarity Campaign has reservations about the ceasefire agreement’s stability, it affirms the ‘welcome’ development in a statement. In response to the Metropolitan Police’s handling of the protests earlier, the group called their rules “repressive” and petitioned for them to be lifted. Campaign Against Antisemitism believes that even though the Met disregarded the considerable protests outside synagogues, it took after the war ended
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