Thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors took to the streets of London today, chanting 'from the river to the sea', a chant widely understood to be calling for the destruction of Israel.
“From the river to the sea”. Antisemitism on Regent street pic.twitter.com/nSK4UDXZRJ
— Alex Dale (@typofoto) October 14, 2023
Footage posted on social media showed waves of marchers streaming down Regent Street in central London early today as part of the official Palestine Solidarity Campaign march.
People take part in a demonstration against Israel October 14 (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
There were also sightings of demonstrators wearing illustrations of paratroopers on their clothes, believed to be a reference to Hamas terrorists who used improvised aerial craft to infiltrate Israeli territory last Saturday.
Hamas sent terrorists on paragliders to a rave in Israel where they massacred the civilians so it's important to tape images of paragliders to your clothes at a pro Palestine demonstration. pic.twitter.com/0By0sbs3yT
— Harry's Place (@hurryupharry) October 14, 2023
While number of marchers could not be confirmed, aerial footage of the event, which started at the BBC's headquarters off Oxford Street before heading to Westminster, showed what looked like thousands of protestors.
The BBC's New Broadcasting House was also covered in red paint by the Palestine Action group, who said that the BBC was "manufacturing consent for Israel’s war crimes.”
A major protest against Israel is taking place in London right now pic.twitter.com/oslNJg4oVO
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 14, 2023
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke at the event alongside Palestinian representative to the UK Husam Zomlot.
"It is right to condemn the continuing occupation of Palestine by Israeli military forces."
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 14, 2023
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is speaking at a pro-Palestine demonstration in London.
Israel-Hamas latest ➡️ https://t.co/5HylWXsPOL
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/14inFkC1y9
The Metropolitan Police made seven arrests during the protest, on suspicion of breaches of the face covering order as well as public order offences.
Earlier, the Metropolitan Police said that they would arrest any protesters who deviate from an official route or carry signs supporting Hamas or any other proscribed terror groups.
Police also warned that those found supporting Hamas will be arrested, adding that they have assigned more than 1,000 officers to police the event taking place today in central London.
Authorities also said they have introduced powers to compel any demonstrator to remove facial coverings around the area of the protest and the Israeli embassy until 10 pm tonight.
