77 arrested at anti-Israel protest in London

Anti-Israel demonstrators in London broke through police lines on Saturday, ignoring a route meant to protect a nearby synagogue during Shabbat.

The Metropolitan Police (MET) reports that 77 people were arrested after protesters gathered an hour early and pushed into Trafalgar Square. The original Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) march was supposed to start at Russell Square and avoid passing too close to Jewish worshipers, but a rogue group instead converged on Whitehall, reports The Jerusalem Post.

MET Commander Adam Slonecki said a “coordinated effort” breached police lines, with some organisers allegedly inciting participants to force their way forward. Officers arrested Chris Nineham—identified by former Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn as the chief steward for the Stop the War Coalition—on suspicion of leading the unlawful march.

Among the arrests, one person carried a placard endorsing Hamas and Hezbollah (both banned terror groups under UK law). At the same time, another displayed a swastika paired with the Israeli flag, an image viewed as inciting racial hatred toward Jews. Jewish leaders and community organisations condemned the display of hateful symbols. The Board of Deputies of British Jews stated that the demonstrators’ behaviour near Whitehall justified police measures to protect synagogue worshipers.

Before the protest, the Jewish community, including Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, voiced fears that the demonstrations might threaten safety at a local synagogue during Shabbat. In response, the MET restricted the original PSC route. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper praised officers’ actions, saying, “Everyone should be able to worship in peace.”

Jeremy Corbyn disputed police accounts, claiming the protesters intended only to move toward the BBC to criticise what they call pro-Israel coverage of the Israel-Hamas War. PSC director Ben Jamal alleged the MET imposed “heavy-handed” restrictions and described British complicity in an “apartheid” system. However, the MET noted that bodycams and CCTV footage captured a deliberate push against police lines.

The MET arrested 65 people for breach of conditions, with additional arrests for public order offences, assault, and one sexual assault. Some activists allegedly spat at officers, but no police were injured.

In the end, Jewish advocacy groups such as the Community Security Trust commended the police for allowing Shabbat services to proceed without incident. The incident remains a stark reminder of recent antisemitic sentiments expressed at demonstrations and underscores the tensions surrounding Israel-related protests in the UK.

 

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