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Pro-Palestinian rally and counter-protest spark tension near London Christmas shoppers

by DD Staff

November 30, 2024

A demonstration over the Israel-Gaza war in Trafalgar Square (PA Wire)

key takeaways

In the middle of Winter Wonderland celebrations and Christmas shopping, pro-Palestine protesters and counter-demonstrators threw insults at one another.

On Saturday, a strong police presence and metal barriers separated the two groups in downtown London.

Pro-Palestine protesters crowded the sidewalks around Piccadilly Circus in central London, prompting confused Christmas shoppers to snap photos with their phones.

The demonstrators hoisted their placards in the air and pounded drums.

During their meeting in Coventry Street, the opposing Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Stop the Hate organisations exchanged taunts about "stop supporting terror."

Because both Lebanese terrorists Hezbollah and Palestinian organisation Hamas are banned terror organisations, the Metropolitan Police have cautioned that it is illegal to show support for them.

Offences include chanting slogans, wearing clothing and displaying articles such as flags, signs or logos that express support for those groups.

The pro-Palestine march was also blocked at Piccadilly Circus when a group of men holding a banner ran into the middle of the road.

They were pushed out of the way by police after a brief struggle.

However, the Met posted on X later in the afternoon that the PSC march had “passed the Stop The Hate counter-protest without incident”.

Scotland Yard said they expect it to be one of the busiest shopping weekends before Christmas. Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is also being held nearby.

PSC speeches will take place in Whitehall and the assembly must finish by 4.30pm.

The group, which has been at the forefront of organising pro-Palestine marches across the country, is demanding an end to “British complicity in Israel’s genocide and apartheid” of Gaza.

The demonstration follows the agreement on Tuesday night of a 60-day truce between Israel and Iran-backed militants Hezbollah to suspend hostilities, with both sides withdrawing from southern Lebanon.

Last week, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister, and Hamas’s military chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Gaza.

The UK would respect the process set out under domestic legislation when it comes to the arrest warrant, Downing Street said.

It comes after a truce between Israel and Iran-backed militants Hezbollah to suspend hostilities for 60 days was announced on Tuesday night, with both sides withdrawing from southern Lebanon.

Last week, the International Criminal Court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister and Hamas’s military chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Gaza.

The UK would respect the process set out under domestic legislation when it comes to the arrest warrant, Downing Street said.