Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered to march in central London on Saturday to mark the passing of a year since the 7 October attacks in Israel.
Groups of activists convened in two areas in central London on Saturday morning amid a heavy police presence – one in Russell Square, one in nearby Bedford Square.
Organisers of the former said they planned to march to Whitehall, where attenders would listen to speeches – including from the former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf.
According to organisers of the latter, they planned to “target” companies and institutions they say are “complicit in Israel’s crimes”, including Barclays and the British Museum.
The Metropolitan police said the second march came across counter-protests at the junction of Kingsway and Aldwych and at the junction of the Strand and Trafalgar Square.
The 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.”
Later they blocked Gower Street near the British Museum and police appeared to form a line to prevent the group meeting up with the other pro-Palestine march that began in Russell Square.
They 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.”
In Edinburgh, thousands of people joined a similar demonstration, which included a silent march to commemorate all civilians killed. The event was organised by Scottish Friends of Palestine and the Gaza Genocide Emergency Committee.
The Met said officers had made 17 arrests so far as part of a “significant” policing operation across the capital in response to planned protest and memorial events.
Two people were arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, one of which included a protester wearing what appeared to be a parachute, and there were eight arrests on suspicion of public order offences, four of which were allegedly racially aggravated. Parachutes and paragliders were used by militants from Hamas to launch their aerial assault to enter Israel from Gaza last October.
Three people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, three were arrested on suspicion of assault and one person was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Public Order Act condition.
The force said the arrests were made when people tried to get past officers who had formed a cordon to stop any groups breaking away from the main protest.
Cmdr Lou Puddefoot, who is leading the policing operation in London, said Scotland Yard had policed previous protests “without fear or favour”. She said: “Protests and related events have become a feature of the 12 months since the appalling terrorist attacks in Israel almost a year ago.
“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 7 October – 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.”
A memorial event is due to be held in Hyde Park on Sunday, organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and other groups.
Scotland Yard said it was not aware of any major events planned for Monday – the precise anniversary of the attacks.
