A man has been arrested for shouting ‘antisemitic abuse’ from his car at a rally staged by Israel supporters to mark 100 days since Hamas launched its bloody October 7 attack.
The man arrested has not been named by police but is understood to have shouted ‘Free Palestine’ from a vehicle near the Trafalgar Square rally.
Thousands gathered in central London with Israeli flags and posters calling for those who were taken hostage by Hamas and remain captive in Gaza to be returned home immediately.
The crowd chanted ‘Bring Them Home Now’ and ‘100 days in hell’ as they highlighted the plight of some 136 people still being held captive after Hamas stormed southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 and kidnapping 200.
Israel responded by declaring war on Hamas, vowing to destroy the group and rescue those taken hostage. The devastating military campaign has seen almost 24,000 people killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas authorities. Just over 100 Israeli hostages have been returned home safely.
Thousands gathered in central London with Israeli flags as well as placards and posters
People gather during the event “100 days 100 voices” to mark 100 days since the October 7 Hamas attack
Former home secretary Suella Braverman was among those attending the protest in London
The Met Police said they were present throughout Sunday’s pro-Israel rally to ensure the safety of those attending
Former home secretary Suella Braverman was among those attending the protest in London today and said she was there ‘to stand in solidarity’ with Israel and demand the return of the hostages.
She said: ‘It has been 100 days since innocent people have been taken hostage by the Hamas terrorists and we need to bring them home now.’
Various speakers took to the stage at the rally and were met with cheers of support from those gathered.
In a video message played to the audience. President of Israel Isaac Herzog thanked the King for his support to the people of Israel.
He also thanked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer.
He said: ‘In the face of those who wish to scare us into silence, you’ve stood up and spoken out with clarity, pride and passion but it isn’t only within the Jewish community, across every branch of British leadership… the truth reigns clear.
‘In the name of the state and people of Israel, I thank you all.
‘I want to thank His Majesty King Charles III. I want to thank Prime Minister Sunak. I want to thank the UK Government and I want to thank Opposition leader Starmer and his colleagues.’
It came a day after more than 200,000 Pro-Palestinian protesters marched through London for the first major demonstration of 2024.
The crowd chanted ‘Bring Them Home Now’ and ‘100 days in hell’, with many holding up banners to highlight the landmark
The protesters highlighted the plight of some 136 people still being held captive after Hamas stormed southern Israel on October 7
The UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues said those who took part in a pro-Palestine march on Saturday are ‘happy to walk with people who are antisemitic’.
Speaking at a pro-Israel demonstration in Trafalgar Square, Lord Eric Pickles said: ‘I stand before you a committed and unapologetic Zionist. I am proud to stand with Israel.’
He said: ‘The people who were marching yesterday, the overwhelming majority of them are not antisemitic but they are happy to walk with people who are antisemitic.’
Nine arrests were made on Saturday for alleged offences including inciting racial hatred, a suspected racially aggravated public order offence, and on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation.
Around 1,700 police officers from the Met and other UK forces were mobilised on Saturday amid fears the escalating tensions in the Middle East would bring more activists to the streets of the capital.
The Met Police said they were present throughout Sunday’s pro-Israel rally to ensure the safety of those attending.
The force said in a statement posted to X: ‘A short time ago a man who shouted antisemitic abuse from a passing car was stopped by officers.
‘He has been arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence.’