Three people have been arrested after around 2,000 pro-Palestine demonstrators took to the streets near the London Israeli embassy.
The arrests were confirmed to The Epoch Times by the Metropolitan Police, who said officers will continue to have an “enhanced visible presence” on the streets of London to reassure the public, particularly in London’s Jewish communities.
Three arrests have been made for assault on an emergency worker, racially motivated criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. In addition, further active arrest enquiries are underway.
Israeli Embassy
At the demonstration on Monday, groups including Stop the War and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered at the Israeli embassy in Kensington, waving placards calling for Israel to “end the occupation.”Wooden boards had been placed near the entrance to the embassy and the gate, while large groups of police officers watched on.
Fireworks were set off, flares were lit, and people chanted, “Israel is a terrorist state,” “Free Palestine” and “Allahu akbar.”
Not Flags of Proscribed Organisations
Police said that several individuals were observed engaging in criminal damage to a building during the protests in Kensington High Street. They said they have gathered evidence and active enquiries are underway to identify, locate and arrest those suspected of being involved.“Ahead of the protests and vigils, we liaised with the organisers to ensure our policing plan was appropriate—balancing the right to lawful protest against any disruption to Londoners, while ensuring all communities are supported and reassured,” a Met police spokesperson said.
“UK policing has an obligation to uphold the right to protest. However, we are clear that where any activity crosses into criminality, we will, and have, taken action,” she added.
The police said it is “aware of concerns being raised about flags and other symbols being displayed in a way that could lead to people feeling threatened.”
“Specialist officers reviewed these and determined they were not flags of proscribed organisations. The waving of a particular flag is not, in itself, a specific criminal offence unless it relates to a proscribed organisation. At present, no offences were identified,” she added.
The demonstrations happened after The Israeli Security Cabinet formally declared war against Hamas after the Islamic terror group launched a surprise attack out of the Gaza area. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since announced a “state of war” in Israel.
More than 900 people have been killed, with dozens more held hostage in Israel.
IDF
Around 2,000 people attended a Jewish community vigil in Westminster for Israel, arranged by the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council.Nathanel Young, 20, from north London, was killed when hundreds of Hamas gunmen surged across the border from the Gaza Strip at dawn in an attack named Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, after the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, which is considered one of Islam’s holiest places.
Mr. Young was one of at least 700 Israelis killed in the terrorist attack, which Mr. Sunak has condemned, U.S. President Joe Biden and dozens of world leaders.
Two other British nationals—Jake Marlowe, 26, and Dan Darlington—are also missing. Mr. Marlowe was working as a security guard at a music festival near Kibbutz Re'im, which was attacked by Hamas militants, some of whom flew in on paragliders.
At least 260 people are believed to have been killed at the festival site.
