Pro-Palestinian March in London Under Fire for Antisemitic Chants and Placards, Seven Charged by Police
A pro-Palestinian march in London on Armistice Day has faced severe criticism for its antisemitic chants and offensive placards. The Metropolitan Police have charged seven individuals in connection with disorder that largely stemmed from far-right counter-protests. Home Secretary Suella Braverman has condemned the sick, inflammatory, and, in some cases, clearly criminal behavior exhibited at the demonstration. Braverman demanded further action and expressed her concern that London’s streets are being polluted by hate, violence, and antisemitism. These remarks have only escalated tensions surrounding the issue.
While praising the police for their professionalism in handling the violence and aggression from both protesters and counter-protesters, Braverman focused her public remarks on the displays of antisemitism at the pro-Palestinian march. The Metropolitan Police reported that seven men have been charged with offenses including assault on an emergency worker, criminal damage, and possession of an offensive weapon.
The demonstration and the counter-protest organized by far-right groups resulted in 145 arrests, and nine police officers sustained injuries while preventing a violent crowd from reaching the Cenotaph. The situation has heightened pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to dismiss Braverman as Home Secretary.
Braverman’s latest remarks are seen as adding to calls for the police to intervene and halt the weekly pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The Home Secretary stated that the sick, inflammatory, and criminal behavior observed at the marches is deeply troubling, emphasizing the magnitude of antisemitism, racism, and the glorification of terrorism on display.
However, opposition to Braverman’s stance suggests that her previous comments labeling pro-Palestinian protesters as hate marchers and accusing the police of bias may have contributed to the unrest. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper blamed Braverman’s appalling and unprecedented attack on the police’s impartiality for deliberately stoking tensions.
Although the pro-Palestinian march did not witness the violence perpetrated by far-right groups, the police are investigating cases related to antisemitism and hate crimes. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor commended the police for their efforts in continuing to build cases against those in custody and investigating incidents shared on social media.
As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues, the magnitude of Saturday’s pro-Palestinian rally underscores the growing concern around the issue. With pressures mounting on the government to take action, the police’s response and future handling of such demonstrations will be closely watched. The aim is to maintain public order while preventing any escalation of tensions between activists and counter-protesters.
