Protesters clash with police cordon after thousands march through central London

Protesters clashed with police in central London, just hours after the beginning of the march (Picture: PA)

At least 17 people have been arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest in London ahead of the anniversary of the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7.

Thousands of people took part in the march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign on Saturday.

The Metropolitan Police said two people were arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, one of which included a protester wearing what looked to be a parachute.

There were eight arrests on suspicion of public order offences – three of which were allegedly racially aggravated.

Meanwhile, three people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, three arrested on suspicion of assault and one person was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Public Order Act condition.

A number of people were detained when protesters attempted to get past officers who had formed a cordon to stop any groups breaking away from the main march.

A ‘significant’ policing operation is in place across London in response to the planned protest and memorial events (Picture: PA)

The Met said small counter-groups had broken away from the pre-agreed counter protest area and officers were forced to create a buffer between the two groups.

The march came across counter-protests at the junction of Kingsway and Aldwych and at the junction of the Strand and Trafalgar Square.

Police said in a statement: ‘The counter protest is too close to the main march and well away from the agreed area.

‘To prevent disorder, conditions have been imposed under the Public Order Act requiring them to move back onto Trafalgar Square.’

Activists convened in Bedford Square on Saturday morning amid the ‘significant’ policing operation across the capital to manage the protests and memorials for the anniversary.

According to organisers, they planned to ‘target’ companies and institutions they say are ‘complicit in Israel’s crimes’, including Barclays Bank and the British Museum.

Police officers detain a demonstrator during a march to Downing Street (Picture: EPA)

Demonstrators blocked Tottenham Court Road by gathering outside a Barclays branch just after midday, with a sign held near the entrance reading: ‘Shame on those who looked away from the sadistic genocide of mainly children in Gaza and the West Bank.’

A short while later they blocked Gower Street near the British Museum and police appeared to form a line to prevent the group meeting up with another group of activists in Russell Square.

A group then gathered outside the British Library, chanting: ‘Yemen, Yemen make us proud. Turn another ship around’, and: ‘British Museum. Paint it red. Over 100,000 dead’.

In Bedford square, some were holding Lebanese and Iranian flags and banners stating ‘we do not stand with genocide’ and ‘Zionism is racism’, with many chanting ‘free, free Palestine’.

A protest leader told activists: ‘We don’t engage the police and don’t engage counter-protesters. We definitely don’t talk to the blue bibs.

Another arrest as protesters gather for a ‘Stop The War Coalition’ demonstration against Israeli strikes on Gaza and Lebanon (Picture: Getty)

The national march marks the start of the war in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East and an end to Britain supplying arms to Israel (Picture: Getty)

‘We do not talk or interact with the police. If I am arrested, no comment. If I am arrested, no caution. If I am arrested, no duty solicitor.

‘We are safer when we are together. Only we can keep each other safe.’

On Sunday afternoon, a memorial event will be held in Hyde Park, organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and other groups.

The force said it was unaware of any significant public events taking place on Monday, the anniversary of the attacks.

Commander Lou Puddefoot, who is leading the operation, said the force had policed previous protests ‘without fear or favour’.

A small group of Pro-Israeli counter demonstrators also turned up (Picture: AFP)

‘Protests and related events have become a feature of the 12 months since the appalling terrorist attacks in Israel almost a year ago,’ she said.

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‘We have policed them without fear or favour, ensuring that lawful protest has been allowed to take place but intervening where the line has been crossed into criminality.

‘We recognise that as we go into this weekend, so close to the anniversary of October 7, emotions will be heightened and fears about safety and security understandably increased.

‘Officers have been in regular contact with event organisers. We have detailed plans in place to ensure the safety of those attending and to be able to respond to any incidents or offences.’

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