Tens of thousands of people marched on London’s streets for a pro-Palestinian rally calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, with one being arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.
1,500 police officers were deployed in London due to a major pro-Palestinian rally calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza on November 25, which was attended by tens of thousands of protesters. Similar rallies also took place in Paris and other French cities, including Strasbourg, Lyon and Marseille.
The National March for Palestine, which aimed to finish in Whitehall, central London, was the latest in several massive protests staged in the British capital every weekend since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, reports The Times of Israel.
The Metropolitan Police reported that it had arrested one of the protesters on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.
“Officers spotted him carrying a placard with Nazi symbols on it,” police said.
Leaflets were distributed by police officers at the march, clarifying what would be deemed an offence, due to pressure from senior government officials to be tougher on displays of antisemitism at the protests.
“Anyone who is racist or incites hatred against any group should expect to be arrested. As should anyone who supports Hamas or any other banned organisation,” said Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Ade Adelekan.
“We will not tolerate anyone who celebrates or promotes acts of terrorism – such as the killing or kidnap of innocent people – or who spreads hate speech,” he added.
Hizb-ut-Tahrir, an Islamist group, also protested on Saturday outside the Egyptian Embassy in London.
Photo credit: AP/Alberto Pezzali
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