386 arrests linked to Israel-Gaza tensions in London since 7 October

There have been 386 arrests so far relating to the Israel-Hamas conflict since the 7 October attack, the Met Police has said.

A 37-year-old was arrested on Friday on suspicion of encouraging terrorism and showing support for a proscribed organisation, the force said.

He was taken into custody at a south London police station, where he was later bailed. Police said the arrest followed an investigation into Hamas-related online posts.

Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Rees, head of operations in the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “We continue to make arrests as part of our ongoing investigations into real-world and online offending linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.”

The newly released figures come as hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of London on Saturday, this time calling out Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who voted against the Scottish National Party’s pro-ceasefire amendment on Wednesday.

The protestors, marched from outside Chalk Farm station in north west London as part of a day of national action, chanting “Free, free Palestine” as they headed towards Camden.

Some chanted the controversial slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which has been repeatedly denounced by leading politicians and Jewish groups as an antisemitic call for the elimination of Israel, referring to its national borders.

Others held signs saying, “Who the f*** doesn’t vote for a ceasefire?” and “Starmer shame on you” as they walked through Sir Keir’s Holborn and St Pancras constituency.

They rallied outside the Crowndale Centre, a building where Sir Keir has previously held constituency surgeries, close to the local Labour Party offices in north west London.

Crowds blocked the road and chanted “Keir Starmer’s a wasteman” and “What do we want? A ceasefire. When do we want it? Now”.

Some held up signs saying “Stop the war on Gaza” and waved large Palestinian flags outside the Labour leader’s office.

John Rees, national officer for the Stop the War Coalition, told crowds: “You saw what this movement did to Suella Braverman. Unless you get yourselves in line with the majority of people in this country who want an immediate ceasefire, this movement will do that to you Rishi Sunak, it will do that to you, Keir Starmer.”

He continued: “My message to Keir Starmer is this. One, you are a wasteman. Two, get with the programme, demand a ceasefire now.”

The crowds also heard from 33-year-old Palestinian Nida Badawi.

She said: “I know we’re restless. For the past 40 days, over 40 days, I feel like my heart’s been ripped out of my body.

“I’m just here to remind you while we’re standing here, it’s not the time to stay quiet. They need to hear our voices.”

She continued: “Today we stand with the Palestinians. We are going to demand what they are demanding, a ceasefire.

“So while we march together, I want everyone united in this fact. In our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians.”

More than 100 rallies had been expected across the UK on Saturday instead of a large march in central London. Social media posts showed protests taking place across major cities.

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Earlier in the week, 56 Labour MPs defied their leader’s position of advocating for pauses in fighting so they could support a ceasefire in a Commons vote.

Jess Phillips, shadow minister for domestic violence, was among the 10 Labour frontbenchers and parliamentary aides who either quit or were sacked over their backing for an SNP amendment in the King’s Speech debate, which was ultimately defeated.

Following Wednesday’s vote, Sir Keir said: “I regret that some colleagues felt unable to support the position tonight.

“But I wanted to be clear about where I stood, and where I will stand. Leadership is about doing the right thing. That is the least the public deserves.”