As thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators prepared to march near the Israeli embassy on Saturday, police arrested an activist on suspicion of supporting a banned group.
Scotland Yard said the arrests were made on “alleged support for a proscribed organization in relation to the placards”.
A spokesperson for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign said 200,000 to 250,000 people were expected to gather for the demonstration, which began near Marble Arch at 1:30 p.m.
Many of the demonstrators held placards declaring “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” a move widely interpreted as a call for the destruction of the Israeli state.
Some held banners condemning Israel’s genocide.
Some marchers also carried placards with symbols showing support for Hamas militants, including placards with the letter V on a red background, imitating the terrorist organization’s red triangle symbol. There are also claims that some people raised the
Around 1,500 police officers from forces across the UK will be on duty to maintain public order during the demonstrations.
It is the second time activists have gathered near the Israeli embassy in Kensington since October 7, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel.
Metropolitan police intervened to prevent the march from starting until after prayers at synagogues along the route, although hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists had gathered nearby before the demonstration began.