Police battle protesters shouting ‘death to the IDF’ as 40 arrested in UK demo chaos

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that 40 people were arrested and six were charged with attacking police officers after chaos erupted at a pro-Palestine protest in central London

Forty protesters were detained after violent clashes broke out between pro-Palestine demonstrators and police in Westminster’s vicinity.

The Metropolitan Police disclosed that six of those apprehended were charged “for assaults on police officers”, while the majority were arrested “for breaching conditions”, as per LBC News reports.

The protest, reportedly organised by Global Movement for Gaza UK, was issued Public Order Act conditions by the authorities, which aimed to keep the roads open and prevent significant disruptions to the city.

As protesters declined to adhere to the restrictions imposed on their demonstration, police officers were compelled to intervene. The Metropolitan Police described the incident, stating: “Regrettably, a significant number of those present were intent on breaching the conditions, leading to clashes with officers who moved in to enforce them.”

Following the dispersal of the protest, the force declared, “The protest has now dispersed and Whitehall has returned to normal. Officers remain in the area to deal with any further incidents.”

Videos capturing intense confrontations between the police and protesters began circulating online. In response to the dramatic footage, the Metropolitan Police stated, “Footage is being shared online showing clashes between officers and protesters in Whitehall earlier this evening.”, reports the Express.

Dramatic footage from the London protest showed a heavy police presence, with three vans and numerous officers on the scene, some of whom were involved in physical confrontations with demonstrators.

Another video circulating online captured protesters chanting “death, death to the IDF”.

Pro-Palestinian protests erupted at railway stations across the UK, with social media posters urging activists to gather at 19 locations nationwide between 5:30 pm and 6 pm on Thursday. The designated meeting points included major railway stations such as Parliament Square in London, Cardiff Central, Sheffield railway station, Farnborough station in Surrey, Manchester Piccadilly, and Liverpool Lime Street.

A pro-Palestinian campaigner in Westminster sparked outrage with her remarks following the synagogue attack. Fiona Smith, 42, told The Telegraph that the terror attack was overshadowed by the plight of Greta Thunberg’s flotilla.

She said, “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 controversy surrounding Thunberg’s detention off the Israeli coast earlier this week, after attempting to sail an aid flotilla to Gaza, has drawn widespread attention. The Swedish climate change activist is expected to be deported from Israel in due course.

A synagogue attack on the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, has tragically claimed two lives and left three others battling for survival. The assault took place just after 9.30am at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall.

The assailant has been identified by Greater Manchester Police as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35 year old British citizen of Syrian origin.

In connection with the incident, the police have arrested two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s under suspicion of commissioning, preparing, and instigating acts of terrorism.

Following an urgent Cobra committee meeting at Downing Street, Sir Keir Starmer condemned the act, stating that “a vile individual committed a terrorist attack” earlier today.

He emphasised that the attacker “targeted Jews because they are Jews and attacked Britain because of our values”.

Sir Keir acknowledged that while Britain has historically welcomed Jewish communities and provided them with refuge and a home, it is also a country where Jewish establishments necessitate constant protection and specialist security due to the “because of the daily threat of antisemitic hatred”.

He warned that antisemitism is “rising once again” and stressed that Britain must “defeat it once again”.

In a pledge to the Jewish community, he stated: “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.”