Ten arrested at pro-Palestine Al Quds Day march and Pro-Israel counter protest

Ten people were arrested at separate pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protests in central London today, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.

Pro-Palestine protesters marched through the capital, from the Home Office to Downing Street on Friday afternoon, for the annual Al Quds Day demonstration.

A smaller rally, a static demonstration in Parliament Square, was also organised by pro-Israel counter protesters.

The pro-Palestine event, organised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), saw participants carry placards and banners, displaying phrases such as “carry the struggle forward” and “boycott Israel”.

The Met said two men with the counter protest were arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and two men were arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after an Israeli flag was burned near the stage in Richmond Terrace. It added that another man was arrested for a public order offence after he was heard to make a homophobic remark.

“A number people who tried to prevent the man’s arrest have been arrested for obstruction. We will confirm the exact number when we’re able to,” the force said.

After the protesters had mostly cleared the area, the Met revealed a further arrest had been made in relation to an assault on an emergency worker. The officer who was assaulted is fortunately not seriously injured.

The Met confirmed 10 arrests were made in total.

The demonstrations took place on the same day new public order powers to prevent “serious disruption” at protests came into force.

Serious Disruption Prevention Orders are court orders that can impose restraints on individuals who have committed protest-related offences on at least two occasions, potentially banning them from being in certain areas or being with protest groups at given times.

The Met imposed conditions under the Public Order Act on both demonstrations, which saw those participating in either protest required to stick to the pre-agreed route or designated area.

One man was arrested for failing to comply with conditions requiring counter protestors to remain in the designated area provided on Parliament Square, the force said.

‘This is not a religious issue’

Pro-Palestinian protester Abid, 45, said he supported a ceasefire because “this is not a religious issue, it’s a human issue”.

He said: “Our message to the Government in the UK is to stop cooperating with a regime who’s involved in a genocide. The whole world is talking about it.

“Countries in Europe have already started to cut the supplies, all supplies, to Israel, so why can’t our Government stop supplying them arms?

“They are using the arms and they’re killing their own people, they are killing our own people, they’ve killed aid workers, three of them were from UK.”

Asked about allegations of antisemitism made against the march, he said: “We have Jews actually participating in the protest.

“You can ask any person from any background, any religion – this isn’t a religious issue, it’s a human issue.”

Efim, 73, said those participating in the Al Quds Day march were “naive” or “brainwashed”.

He added that Hamas should release its hostages before a ceasefire is put in place.

Speaking of those who thought a ceasefire agreement should be reached first, he said: “I think they are naive.

“If it was their family members, I think they would join our side.”

He added: “On the Tube, I saw a group of young people with Palestinian flags and they were all wearing masks – if their cause is genuine, why are they covering their faces?”

The Al Quds Day march, an annual event that takes place on the final Friday of Ramadan, is organised in support of the Palestinian cause and in opposition to Israel.

More than 500 officers were deployed in central London to police the two protests on Friday.

In a statement released ahead of the two demonstrations, Commander Colin Wingrove, who led the policing operation, said: “The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to have a far reaching impact across communities including here in London.

“We recognise that there will be some who feel this march should not be allowed to take place at all.

“We work to the law. Parliament has determined that there are only very rare and specific circumstances when an application can be made to the Home Secretary for a protest to be banned. It requires a real risk of serious disorder and neither the intelligence picture nor the conversations we have had with organisers give us reason to believe that threshold will be met today.

“The rights of people to express their views through protest must be protected and our officers will ensure they are, but anyone who abuses those rights and uses them as an opportunity to commit offences or to promote hate can expect to face police action.”

Additional reporting by PA News Agency