Forty people were dragged into custody after violent scenes erupted when pro-Palestine protesters clashed with police near the heart of Westminster.
Six of those arrested faced charges “for assaults on police officers” while the bulk were hauled in “for breaching conditions”, the Metropolitan Police has revealed, reports LBC News.
The demonstration was organised by Global Movement for Gaza UK, according to the force, which slapped Public Order Act conditions on the march to keep roads open and prevent serious disruption to the capital. The news emerges as it was reported how the Manchester terror attacker was given British citizenship after moving from Syria.
Officers were forced to wade into the crowds when activists refused to comply with the restrictions imposed on their protest.
The Met said: “Regrettably, a significant number of those present were intent on breaching the conditions, leading to clashes with officers who moved in to enforce them.”
The force confirmed: “The protest has now dispersed and Whitehall has returned to normal. Officers remain in the area to deal with any further incidents.”
Police battle demonstrators as videos capture dramatic confrontations
The Metropolitan Police acknowledged the explosive scenes, stating: “Footage is being shared online showing clashes between officers and protesters in Whitehall earlier this evening.”
Dramatic videos from the London protest captured three police vans and scores of officers at the scene, with some locked in physical confrontations with demonstrators.
Meanwhile, another clip shared widely online showed demonstrators shouting “death, death to the IDF”.
Nationwide protests erupt at railway stations across Britain
Posters shared on social media urged pro-Palestinian activists to converge on 19 locations around the UK between 5.30pm and 6pm on Thursday. Most of them were major railway stations, reports The Telegraph.
Among the locations where protesters were urged to gather included Parliament Square in London, Cardiff Central, Sheffield railway station, Farnborough station in Surrey, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.
Campaigner sparks fury with shocking comments after synagogue attack
A pro-Palestinian campaigner in Westminster said today’s terror attack pales in comparison to the plight of Greta Thunberg’s flotilla.
Fiona Smith, 42, told The Telegraph: “I don’t give a f— about the Jewish community right now. I thought about it and I’m sorry about what happened, but the whole story and why we’re here is because of what happened yesterday [with the flotilla].”
The Swedish climate change activist and a group of friends were detained off the Israeli coast earlier this week after attempting to sail an aid flotilla to Gaza. She is expected to be deported from the Jewish nation in due course.
Synagogue attack leaves two dead on holiest day in Jewish calendar
Two men have died and three more are fighting for their lives following the attack, which was carried out on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall shortly after 9.30am on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar – Yom Kippur.
The man who carried out the attack has been named by Greater Manchester Police as Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent.
The force said two men aged in their 30s and a woman in her 60s have been arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism connected to the incident.
PM vows to crush antisemitism after emergency Cobra meeting
Speaking following an emergency Cobra committee meeting in Downing Street, Sir Keir said “a vile individual committed a terrorist attack” earlier today.
He said the suspect “attacked Jews because they are Jews and attacked Britain because of our values”.
Sir Keir added that Britain is a country that has welcomed Jewish communities and has provided refuge and a home.
But he said it is also a place where Jewish buildings require round-the-clock protection and specialist security is necessary “because of the daily threat of antisemitic hatred”, Sir Keir added.
He said antisemitism is “rising once again” and said Britain must “defeat it once again”.
In a message to the Jewish community, he said: “I promise you that I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve, starting with a more visible police presence, protecting your community.”