Pro-Palestine protests in London on Saturday were marred by displays of support for Hamas and Hezbollah with police launching an appeal to track down offenders.
Officers made 17 arrests at Saturday’s pro-Palestinian demonstration in central London, but a number of further potential offences have come to light on social media and the Met has released images and asked for help to identify those involved.
Two people were arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, with one man held after allegedly shouting support for Hezbollah near a pro-Israel counter-demonstration, according to the force.
Another man was arrested on suspicion of wearing or displaying an article indicating support for Hamas, which is also a proscribed organisation, after he was allegedly spotted wearing a parachute, the Met said.
There were eight arrests on suspicion of public order offences, four of which were allegedly racially aggravated.
Three people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, another three were arrested on suspicion of common assault and one person was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Public Order Act condition.
There were further clashes between Pro-Israeli and Pro-Palestinian activists on Sunday as hundreds gathered in Hyde Park in memory of those killed when Hamas militants burst into Israel on October 7 2023.
Around 1,200 Israelis were killed, including 797 civilians and 36 children, and 250 others were taken hostage in a series of brutal attacks.
The mother of the sole British hostage still held in Gaza told crowds that her daughter remains “in hell” and has been “stripped of every human right”.
Mandy Damari told the crowd through tears that her daughter Emily had had her “joy and light locked away” for a year.
The British-Israeli, 28, has been described as an Ed Sheeran fan, London Zoo enthusiast, foodie and Spurs supporter, with a mixed sense of classic British humour and “Israeli chutzpah”.
Ms Damari said: “How is it that she (Emily) is still imprisoned there after one year?
“Why isn’t the whole world, especially Britain, fighting every moment to secure her release?
“She is one of their own but her plight seems to have been forgotten.
“My beautiful, funny and brave daughter, who I love to the moon and back deserves to come home. I need to hug her again. I need to see her smile.
“I know we could and should be doing more. I and everyone else has failed her and the only way to make us all feel whole again is to get Emily and all the 101 hostages back to their families.”
As people began to leave the event and make their way home, a small group of pro-Palestinian activists who had gathered at Speakers’ Corner began to shout “shame on you” and “live, live Palestine”.
One protester could be heard shouting “no-one wants you in the Middle East, go back home”.
The pro-Israeli side were seen shouting back as police formed a line between the two groups.
A member of the public, who was later seen in tears, could be heard telling an officer that the pro-Palestine group were displaying “a celebration of terrorism”.
Elsewhere, Sussex Police confirmed it was looking into a video shared across social media which appears to show a man damaging a Jewish memorial in Hove.
The footage depicts the man trying to rip up pictures, smashing plant pots and tearing down a number of items including tributes, teddy bears and flowers.
After the Pro-Palestinian demonstration on Saturday, a Scotland Yard spokesperson said: “The crowds at Saturday's event were significant in size and density. In those circumstances, what is easy to spot when walking among the crowd with a mobile phone is not always easy for officers to see from their positions along the route.
“While we will always investigate event after an event, we would urge those who see these incidents and take photos of them to also alert officers - if they are nearby - so we can intervene immediately.”
Anyone who can identify those pictured is asked to call 101, message @MetCC on X or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
They should give the reference 3919/06OCT and the specific reference on the image.
