‘Allahu Akbar’ chants, Nazi symbols at huge pro-Palestine march in London
At least 18 people were arrested as tens of thousands of people took to the streets in central London for a pro-Palestinian march on Saturday. The protestors demanded a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Officers arrested a man on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after he was spotted carrying a placard with Nazi symbols on it, according to the Metropolitan Police. Four others were detained for distributing “literature featuring a swastika inside a Star of David.”
Two other people were arrested for wearing green headbands with white Arabic script – similar to those worn by Hamas, the police said.
The protests came on the second day of a four-day ceasefire that has allowed critical humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and given civilians their first respite after 49 days of war since October 7.
According to Sky News, the protesters marched carrying banners and placards, while police handed out leaflets clarifying actions that could lead to arrest.
A few videos of the protest emerged on social media platforms where agitators can be heard chanting “Allahu Akbar”, and groups of women can be seen standing in a segregated area on the side and back.
A group of Jewish women also joined the march to denounce crimes committed by Hamas, including rapes and killings. They could be heard chanting, “We are women, we are proud, we are Jewish, and we are angry,” reported by news agency PTI.
Responding to the situation, Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner Ade Adelekansaid, “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.”
The police said at least 1,500 officers were deployed at the site to control the situation.
The recent pro-Palestinian rallies in Britain have ignited a heated discussion about the right to protest and police authority to address what some in the Jewish community perceive as expressions of hate, racism, or antisemitism.
Former UK interior minister Suella Braverman faced severe backlash earlier this month when she labeled pro-Palestinian protesters as “hate marchers.” Critics accused her of exacerbating tensions, leading to her dismissal by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shortly thereafter.