If you missed the massive pro-Palestine protest in London on Saturday, here’s a recap. Tens of thousands marched ahead of the one-year anniversary of October 7. The demonstrators carried bold banners supporting Hezbollah and Hamas, with messages like “Hezbollah are not terrorists” and “I love Hezbollah”. Some signs even depicted the Israeli flag with a Nazi swastika.
The Met Police reported that the Palestine Solidarity Campaign organized the protest, while a counter-protest called Stop the Hate also took place. Chants of “Yemen, Yemen make us proud, turn another ship around” echoed as they passed the British Library. The tension between pro and anti-Israel groups was palpable.
Amidst the protests, the Campaign Against Antisemitism highlighted concerning symbols and slogans. The Metropolitan Police made several arrests, emphasizing the importance of maintaining law and order. The rise in antisemitic hate crimes was also a significant concern, especially in specific London boroughs.
The dynamics of these protests shed light on the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict and the need for peaceful dialogue and understanding.