TEMPERS FLARE
ANTI-Semitic chanting and posters, along with Nazi symbols have marred pro-Palestine protests across the country with the Israeli flag being burned in a central London demo.
The Met Police confirmed seven men had been arrested after disturbances broke out near the Israeli embassy in Kensington, London.
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Leading Jewish figures were dismayed after reports said a placard had been seen in Trafalgar Square with the slogan: “Stop doing what Hitler did to you!”
Another placard showed a picture of Jesus carrying the cross, with the words: “Do not let them do the same thing today again” while the Israeli flag was burned.
Speaking about the poster, Benjamin Cohen, the chief executive of Pink News, : “Interesting anti-Italian rally happening in London, the Romans were occupying the land of Israel/ Judea and caused the execution of a Jew called Jesus. The sad reality is that vile anti-Semitic tropes are suddenly commonplace in our country.”
Video footage shared online showed speakers calling for a boycott of Marks & Spencer, one of the founders of which was Jewish, as the company was dubbed the “Israeli embassy on the high street”.
Stephen Pollard, the editor of the Jewish Chronicle, said: “Jew haters have an obsession with M&S. I assume that it's in the guide to Jew hating that you get when you join the Guild of Jew Haters: Go for M&S because it's a Jew Store but remember to say it's about trade with Israel.”
Earlier on Saturday afternoon thousands of people gathered in central London for a march from Victoria Embankment to Hyde Park, with chants that included “Israel is a terrorist state” and “We are all Palestinians”.
A sign in one picture read: “Zionism is terrorism”.
Organisers of the march, which was addressed by Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader, estimated that it was attended by up to 180,000 people.
Seven people were detained, with police saying three of the arrests were for violent disorder, two for going equipped to steal, one for a racially aggravated public order offence and another for a homophobic public order offence.
Met Police said a passing car was damaged and missiles were thrown at officers.
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Chief Superintendent Andy Walker, who led the police operation, said: “Today we saw a significant number of people gather in central London to take part in a demonstration. Our policing plan was successfully implemented and I am pleased that the main event was facilitated safely and without incident.
“We reacted quickly to the decision by a small group to break away from the main protest and where offences were identified, arrests were made.
“As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic we are still striking a careful balance between the rights of demonstrators and the need to keep Londoners safe and prevent a resurgence of the virus. I am grateful to the majority of those who attended this event, and to our officers, for helping to achieve those objectives today.”
The Met Police said in an earlier Twitter statement: "Officers have made repeated efforts to engage with a group of protestors now on Hammersmith Road. The group is uncooperative, missiles have been thrown at police, damage has been caused and there is a risk of a further breach of the peace.
"We have considered the rights of the group to protest and also our duty to keep the wider community safe. Officers are now moving to contain the group and prevent any further progression through the area.
"Those who have not committed offences will be allowed to leave the containment in a controlled manner. They will be directed to disperse. Anyone failing to leave the area when instructed to do so could be arrested."
'THERE MUST BE JUSTICE'
Earlier, protesters held banners, let off fireworks and chanted despite the heavy rain.
A Palestinian flag was also placed at the top of a nearby crane - while an Israeli flag was seen being burnt outside the London embassy in Kensington.
Organisers from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign estimated that over 180,000 people attended the rally.
Jeremy Corbyn was among the speakers at a protest attended by thousands in central London to demand "freedom" for Palestinians.
The former Labour leader said: "Children should not grow up having seen their home demolished by a bomb dropped from the safety of thousands of feet above.
"The occupation is the issue, the occupation of the West Bank, the siege of Gaza, they are the issues.
"While the ceasefire is a step forward, unless the fundamental issues are addressed, we will be here again."
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, also at the demo, said: "Yes, a ceasefire has been negotiated and we welcome a ceasefire.
"But let's be clear, there will be no ceasefire in our campaign to boycott, disinvest and sanction the Israeli apartheid state.
"The message is clear, we will not cease our campaign in solidarity until there is justice.
"So let's make it clear, no justice, no peace."
Groups of police officers watched on, as people climbed bus stops and lampposts and wrote "Free Palestine" on walls.
Chants of "Israel is a terrorist state" and "we are all Palestinians" could be heard as they marched.
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One protester, named Muktha Ali, 32, from Harrow, north-west London, told the PA news agency: "I'm here because this is now urgent, the Israeli occupation needs to end now, it's been long enough.
"Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children have been bombed and murdered, Palestine has to be free."
Another, named Jake, said: "I stand in solidarity with Palestinians, and so should everyone, no matter your nationality.
"It's great to see so many people come out in their thousands to support the cause, we will win, our cause will be heard."
Among the groups in attendance were branches of the National Education Union and the Stop The War Coalition.
Protests also took place in Manchester and Cardiff.
Saturday marked the first full day of a truce that ended the fourth Israel-Hamas war in just over a decade.
Israel's security cabinet has approved a ceasefire, a move praised by Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
The protest came after a rookie cop faced the sack after she showed her support for Palestine at a previous demo.
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