Pro-Palestinian protest in London sees thousands call for bombing to stop

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By Thomas Mackintosh & Victoria Bourne in central London
BBC News

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have gathered in London and across the UK for rallies urging an end to Israel’s attacks in Gaza.

More than 1,000 Metropolitan Police officers have been deployed across London as thousands demanded an end to the bombing in Gaza.

Similar demonstrations took place in many UK cities including Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast.

It follows the recent upsurge in conflict between Hamas and Israel.

The protests come as Israel expands its strikes, three weeks after Hamas launched a cross-border attack which killed 1,400 people and saw 229 people kidnapped as hostages.

Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 7,500 Palestinians have been killed as Israel carried out retaliatory strikes.

In the last three weekends huge protests have taken place in major UK cities.

On Saturday afternoon, crowds started to gather near the Golden Jubilee Bridge holding signs saying “Gaza, stop the massacre” and “Free Palestine, end Israeli occupation”.

A sound system led people to chant “Stop arming Israel. Stop bombing Gaza”, “We are all Palestinian”.

Some in the crowd are chanting “from the river to the sea”, referring to the land between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean – a chant Home Secretary Suella Braverman had previously urged police chiefs to consider interpreting as an “expression of a violent desire to see Israel erased from the world”. Israel and most Jewish groups agree.

The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign and other activists contest this, saying the slogan refers to “the right of all Palestinians to freedom, equality and justice”.

During the march in London, an emotional Chrif El Amraoui told the BBC: “Just now marching, I’m crying because children are killed daily. Why? Why do they want more to be killed?”

Abdul Mahfuudi attended the protest with his children and said: “The most important thing for us is for them to stop killing kids. They need to stop.”

Police warned people to expect large crowds in the Westminster area next to the River Thames

Large crowds are expected to gather around the Embankment, Whitehall, Strand, Westminster and Waterloo Bridge, the Metropolitan Police said.

Just after 15:00 BST, the Met Police said on social media one person had been arrested in Whitehall for assaulting an officer.

The officer has been taken to hospital and his condition is not yet known, the Met added.

Elsewhere in the UK, thousands attended a pro-Palestinian rally outside Manchester’s Central Library at St Peter’s Square.

On Friday, the region’s mayor Andy Burnham joined international calls for “a ceasefire by all sides and for the hostages to be released unharmed”.

About 3,000 protesters gathered in Belfast City Centre for a rally which walked along Royal Avenue to City Hall.

More on Israel-Gaza war

Follow live: Latest updates

Explained: What is happening in Israel and Gaza, and why now?

History behind the story: The Israel-Palestinian conflict

Bowen: What increased strikes on Gaza could mean

Hostages: Who are the hostages taken by Hamas from Israel?

Last weekend, similar numbers of officers were involved in policing demonstrations in London and 10 people were arrested on the day.

A video later emerged online of a pro-Palestinian protester chanting “jihad” at a smaller protest near the main march last weekend, but the Met said it “had not identified any offences arising from the specific clip”.

It prompted Suella Braverman to question Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley over why arrests had not been made.

Ahead of this weekend’s demonstrations, the force said officers would be expected to intervene if protesters use the word “jihad” in chants.

“Jihad” literally means “effort” or “struggle” in Arabic. In Islam the main meaning is an internal struggle, such as a believer’s struggle to live in accordance with their faith.

It can also be an outward struggle or war, which in Islamic teaching must be in self defence and within prescribed limits.

The Met Police said more than 1,000 officers will be on duty to provide reassurance – and to deal with anyone who breaks the law

Cdr Kyle Gordon, who is leading the police operation, said the protest would be policed “right up to the line of the law” and include discussions about “anything we’ve learnt from previous weeks”.

He added: “If somebody is calling for jihad specifically against Israel the officers will intervene, gather the information, report it back into us and we’ll be working with colleagues [from counter-terrorism] in relation to what the best course of action is.”

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said calls for a ceasefire “aren’t going to help the situation”.

“Of course we want to see Israel safe, peaceful and secure,” he said, but added there was no indication from Hamas that they would accept or abide by a ceasefire.

A number of demonstrations are planned this weekend across London, Westminster Council said

He warned the protesters to be mindful of misinformation and manipulation, and said that they should be wary of a “small minority” who have more “negative aims”.

Demonstrations have been taking place around the world to call for fighting to stop and for aid to be allowed into Gaza.

Protesters demanding a truce flooded Grand Central Terminal in New York, forcing the station to close temporarily.

Several conditions have been imposed under the Public Order Act – including that protesters should follow a specified route
Greater Manchester Police said extra officers will be deployed at key locations around the city
Demonstrators in London have been told to stick together and not to talk or interact with the police
Malak Abdou, 9, joins protesters during a Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign demonstration in Edinburgh

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