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BBC News
10-08-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Pro-Israel protest sees hundreds march through central London
Hundreds of pro-Israel demonstrators marched through central London on Sunday to demand the release of hostages still held in Gaza and to show their support for the led by the UK's chief rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and the Jewish direct action group Stop The Hate held Israeli flags and placards showing the faces of expressed anger at the UK's intention to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel meets certain conditions, with several people telling the BBC that this was a "reward for Hamas".One man, who was not part of the march, was arrested for common assault and a racially aggravated public order offence, the Metropolitan Police said. Small scuffles briefly broke out near Trafalgar Square with a handful of people chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. Some were led away by Ma'anit, who lost several family members in the Hamas-led cross-border attacks on 7 October 2023, said the UK government had not "exhausted all possibilities" to free the remaining hostages."The freedom of the hostages unlocks new pathways, and it's the swiftest way to break the crisis in the Middle East," he told the BBC."I want the UK government to stop messing things up," he said, adding that its "bungled" announcement regarding a Palestinian state left Hamas "sitting pretty" and knowing "they had won an advantage". It is thought 20, of the remaining 50 hostages held in Gaza, are believed to be protesters held pictures of Evyatar David - the 24-year-old who was shown looking emaciated and weak in a Hamas video released earlier this month, prompting outrage both in Israel and who did not want to give her second name, told the BBC that "we need to carry on remembering" the hostages."We need to get them home. We need more people here. There's a lot of moral confusion going on at the moment." Many protesters said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer should be prioritising the release of the hostages."The hostages have been rotting in the tunnels and the British government haven't been putting pressure on Hamas," said Daniel, another protester. "It's outrageous."A large security presence was in place for the march, including police and Jewish safety of the protesters held signs saying 'end Jew hatred', with several attendees telling the BBC they were concerned for their safety in the groups say there has been a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in Britain since 7 October 2023, the date of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel when about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken then, 61,430 people have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli military operations, the health ministry protest came a day after a demonstration in London in support of banned group Palestine Action, which saw 532 people arrested.
Telegraph
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Protesters arrested after ‘f--- your Jewish state' chants at pro-Palestinian rally
Arrests were made as pro-Palestinian protesters chanted 'f--- your Jewish state' in central London on Saturday. Pro-Israel counter-protesters chanted 'there is no genocide' at thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Marchers gathered across the country calling for the ban on Palestine Action to be reversed, amid police warnings that those showing support for the proscribed group faced arrest. Demonstrations were held in Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Truro and London as part of a campaign coordinated by the campaign group Defend Our Juries, which has already seen dozens arrested. In London, a small group of activists from campaign group Stop The Hate showed their support for Israel. One shouted: 'You use genocide as an excuse of your hatred for the Jewish state.' They were met with shouts of 'fascist' and 'f--- your Jewish state' by the pro-Palestinian marchers. As the march reached Parliament Square, a group of protestors holding blank signs gathered near the statue of Gandhi, before writing on them in marker pen 'I support Palestine Action' in defiance of the ban on showing support for the organisation. Officers made a number of arrests of Palestine Action supporters, who adopted the tactic of going limp, as counter-protesters shouted 'one more liar removed'. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who was leading Saturday's policing operation in London, said officers would be on alert over chants similar to the 'death to the IDF' slogan chanted by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury. He said: 'This is also the first large-scale protest on this issue since Glastonbury Festival where offensive chanting led by an artist on one of the stages prompted a police investigation. Investigations are also under way, led by Met officers, following similar uses of the same chant in London.' Police are continuing to investigate the Bob Vylan incident to establish whether any offences may have been committed. Mr Adelekan added: 'At previous protests, the area between the main march and any counter-protest has seen the most heated exchanges. Officers will be particularly alert to conduct, including chanting, in this area, and will be working with stewards to ensure crowds keep moving past this point. 'Where they become aware of behaviour that crosses the line from protest into criminality, they will intervene and take appropriate action.' He said those expressing support for Palestine Action 'will likely be committing an offence and will very likely be arrested', adding: 'I would urge those people to consider the seriousness of being arrested under the Terrorism Act and the very real long-term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances – that such an arrest is likely to have for their future.' Elsewhere, 16 people holding signs saying 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action ' were arrested on the steps of Truro Cathedral, in Cornwall, under terror legislation. Defend Our Juries said one of those arrested was Deborah Hinton, an 81-year-old former magistrate. The Met said more than 70 people had been arrested at similar demonstrations in Parliament Square over the past two weekends, while Defend Our Juries said a total of 120 had so far been detained across the UK. It comes ahead of a High Court hearing on Monday at which Huda Ammori, the co-founder of Palestine Action, will ask for the green light to challenge the Home Secretary's decision to ban the group under anti-terror laws. The ban means that membership of, or support for, the direct action group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Telegraph
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
The British Iranians cheering on Israeli bombers
He's got an Israeli badge on his black T-shirt, another Star of David on his megaphone and he's screaming 'IDF! IDF! IDF!' towards a seething crowd of pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Then Arman Yachui switches to Farsi: 'God bless Israel! Bring back the Shah!' Israel and Iran may be two countries at war, even if a ceasefire forced by Donald Trump is officially in place, but Yachui, 31, is one of a number of Iranians for Israel who believe only the Jewish state can save the country from itself – from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, and his increasingly authoritarian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who have imprisoned, tortured and killed many of their friends and family members. 'Israel is bombing the Islamic Republic, they are not bombing our country,' says Yachui, who left Iran when he was seven. 'And we need them to win.' Hamas, along with Hezbollah and the Houthis, its terrorist allies, are all proxies of the Islamic Republic and since the October 7 massacre, which sparked the Israel-Gaza war, British Iranians such as Yachui have joined hands with Jewish and Israeli communities and become like family. It is not just because they share the same enemy, but also because a victory for Israel could mean a victory for them. So, at every pro-Palestinian demonstration, they join Israel supporters in a counter-demonstration organised by a group called Stop the Hate. It was no exception last weekend. In a crowd near Waterloo Bridge, central London, on Saturday, Iranians outnumbered Israelis – even though just a day earlier, anti-regime activists outside the Iranian Embassy had been physically attacked. Waving not only Union flags and Israeli flags but also pre-Revolution Iranian insignia, they stood in protest against a much larger anti-Israel march that included demonstrators holding up pictures of the Ayatollah and placards reading 'No surrender' and 'Choose the right side of history.' 'There are so many of them and they have no idea what is really going on,' says Yachui, of the pro-Palestinians who create a bottleneck when they reach the counter-demonstration to scream 'shame on you' and 'murderers.' He shakes his head: 'They are supporting terrorism and they don't even realise it.' Paris Abdy, a teacher, was four during Ayatollah Khomeini's Islamic Revolution of 1979 and remembers how 'everything changed.' 'The cartoons I used to watch on television were suddenly stopped. I was at a school run by English nuns, and then suddenly I wasn't allowed to go anymore. 'I was arrested three times – for wearing lipstick, for wearing nail varnish and for being in an ice cream parlour with the younger members of my family. 'I met Sas [my husband] at a party – we were both rebels – and he said, 'I can't stand it anymore, we have to leave.'' Like many diaspora Iranians, she began attending demonstrations in 2022 after the murder of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish Iranian killed by the morality police for not wearing her hijab correctly. Her death sparked a wave of 'Woman, Life, Freedom' protests both inside Iran and abroad. But, while these demonstrations briefly promised a real revolution against the increasing authoritarianism of the IRGC and police – especially towards women – they ultimately led to a horrendous backlash, with up to 1,000 people killed. For Iranians further afield, however, the protests provided a glimmer of hope. 'The young people in Iran are so brave, they are amazing,' says Abdy. 'They are fighting for [a better future], and I want to get our country back for them too.' Sporting a placard saying 'Make Iran Persia Again' Anahita, a 49-year-old pharmacist who left Iran 21 years ago after her mother's uncle and cousin were both murdered, says her family and friends in Iran welcome Israel's attack. 'Israel is bombing the invaders of my country – the Islamic Republic,' she says. 'They all feel the same as I do and are happy that Israel is bombing them. Freedom has a price. They are ready to pay that price.' Almost all the pro-Israel demonstrators are royalists hoping that Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, will lead a new Iran. Raised mainly in America, he has promised to turn Iran into a true democracy. He has also supported the Israeli action and, in recent days, has implored the Iranian people to rise up. The monarchists often cite the historical relationship between Jews and Iranians dating back 2,500 years – before the birth of either Mohammed or Jesus – when the Persian king Cyrus the Great freed his kingdom's Jewish slaves and returned them to Jerusalem in 539 BC. Jews have lived in Iran for thousands of years, and it is one of the few Middle Eastern countries to still have a Jewish community – around 10,000 people, down from a peak of 150,000. Unlike with Arab states, there is no territorial dispute – Israel and Iran had diplomatic and trade ties until 1979. But, since the Islamic Revolution the country's rulers have stoked an anti-Israel fervour, leading to the establishment of a clock in central Tehran counting down the days to Israel's destruction (in 2040). The clock was bombed by the Israeli Air Force earlier this week. However, other Iranians in the UK oppose Israel and its actions, even if they are also anti-regime. Cat, a pro-Israel activist who lived in Iran until she was 15 and uses her popular Instagram account to speak up for Israeli actions, says she is often criticised for her stance by other Iranians. 'You don't get the serial killer next door to come and help' Cat introduces me to one friend, Ali, 52, who disagrees with her stance passionately. He believes reforms will come from a more moderate Iranian government allied with but not completely run by the Ayatollah. 'Every single Iranian who has been [hanged] and executed in the last 46 years breaks my heart; our country has been run by a murderous regime, but when you have a murder problem, you don't get the serial killer next door to come and help,' he says. 'The Zionist Benjamin Netanyahu is a genocidal man who is just trying to create chaos. He wants to turn Iran into Libya.' He adds: 'I'd rather the IRGC stayed in power than have Israel bombing the country. I'd rather Iran solved its own problems. We don't need outside influences coming in and killing people.' It is certainly true that the Israeli and American attacks may not have done enough to ferment internal revolution, even though Israel went as far as bombing the doors to the prison where critics of the regime were being kept. Within hours of the ceasefire, the IRGC was reported to be rounding up – and even executing – those it claimed were Mossad collaborators. Potkin Azarmehr, an Iranian-British journalist, says one of the problems facing opponents of the IRGC is that the opposition is divided. 'In some ways the reason why the regime has lasted for so long is that its opponents refuse to come together,' he says. 'Khomeini was able to create a revolution because he had a network of mosques and so he had an apparatus to take power. But while there are lots of opposition expats calling themselves political actors, all they do is talk and host conferences.' He believes Pahlavi is the only real opposition figure who commands at least some respect within Iran, but, of course, some see him as a traitor for siding with Israel and as a stranger who has spent most of his life abroad. 'He is probably the most popular amongst the Iranian opposition because of who he is and the nostalgia people have towards his parentage, but he doesn't have a network behind him.' 'Symbolic moments' Azarmehr adds that the Israeli and American actions, while they did some work in dismantling the power of the IRGC, were not enough. 'People on the ground are a little bit despondent,' he says. 'They are worried that if they come out on the streets against the regime, there will be a massacre like Iran has never seen before.' Niyak Ghorbani, a prominent Iranian dissident, 39, who has been arrested 11 times by British police for brandishing a sign saying 'Hamas are terrorists' in the middle of pro-Palestine demonstrations, talks excitedly of a new dawn for Iran. But speaking to The Telegraph after the ceasefire was announced, he too worried that the unfinished job had only made things worse. 'Israel's strikes weren't just military operations; they were symbolic moments. They sent a message to the Iranian people: We will not protect your killers. We stand with you.' He is bitterly disappointed that the action has stopped. 'A ceasefire with the terrorist regime of the Islamic Republic reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of its true nature,' he says angrily. 'In recent weeks, Iranians who simply 'liked' pro-Israel posts on social media have received threatening messages. Let's be clear, the Islamic Republic will take revenge for its fallen commanders not by attacking military targets but by targeting civilians – first in Iran and then once again in Israel and the West.'
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Moment pro-Iran and Palestine protester says Zionists 'should f****** die' in extraordinary outburst at Brighton demo
A pro-Iran and pro-Palestine activist has called for all Zionists to 'f***ing die' in a shocking video takn during a demonstration in Brighton. The activist, seen wearing an X-Files T-shirt, was seen inside Brighton train station describing Israel 's invasion of Gaza as the 'third Holocaust.' 'We don't deserve that, the people of Palestine don't deserve that', the as-yet-unidentified activist said. When asked by a man offscreen about what should happen to Zionists, they answered: 'Zionists should f***ing die, in my opinion.' When pressed on whether they believed all Zionists should die, they said: 'Yes.' The shocking video comes days after violence erupted on the streets of London during a protest supporting Palestinians as police arrested a suspect for throwing a bottle at pro-Israeli counter-protesters and a man was filmed apparently performing a Nazi salute. Activists calling for urgent aid to be sent to Gaza and for Israel to stop bombing Iran yelled 'shame on you' at the pro-Israeli counter-demo. Thousands of demonstrators were heading to Whitehall from Russell Square in central London and waved Palestinian flags and chanted 'free, free Palestine,' 'occupation no more, 'Israel is a terrorist state,' and 'stop bombing Iran'. Campaigners gathered in large numbers under the banner of the Palestine Coalition. But things took an ugly turn as they passed a group of counter-protesters assembled near Waterloo Bridge by the pro-Israeli group Stop the Hate. The Met Police said it chased a suspect through the crowd down the Strand after a bottle was thrown at counter-protesters and apprehended them. A spokesperson said: 'A short time ago a bottle was thrown at the Stop the Hate protest. Fortunately it fell short and nobody was injured. 'Officers chased the suspect down the Strand and made an arrest. The suspect has been taken into custody.' Later footage also emerged seeming to show a protester performing a Nazi salute. Stop the Hate posted on social media and said: 'Nazi salute or a wave? The Met Police think it was a friendly wave at today's hate march.' The Met responded online and said a man had since been arrested: 'We will review the initial response to this incident, however we can confirm that after becoming aware of this footage a search of the area was carried out and a man has been arrested.' The march, which began around midday in Russell Square, moved through Aldwych and the Strand before concluding with a rally and speeches in Whitehall, including from pop star Paloma Faith.
The Independent
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ministers ‘abusing' anti-terror laws against Palestine activists
Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf has said the Government is 'abusing' anti-terror laws against pro- Palestine activists as tens of thousands of protesters marched in London. A protest organised by groups under the Palestine Coalition banner marched to Whitehall from Russell Square in central London on Saturday afternoon. Organisers estimated that 350,000 people attended the protest, with those marching waving Palestinian flags and chanting 'free, free Palestine' and 'stop bombing Iran'. Many protesters chanted 'shame on you' as they walked past dozens of counter-protesters, organised by pro-Israeli group Stop The Hate, near Waterloo Bridge. The Metropolitan Police said a person was arrested after a bottle was thrown towards the counter-protesters. They added that 'a group appeared on Waterloo Bridge trying to block traffic' following the protest, with officers intervening to clear the road. The demonstrations come after reports on Friday that the Home Secretary will ban Palestine Action after the group vandalised two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Yvette Cooper has decided to proscribe the group, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support Palestine Action, after footage posted online showed two people inside the RAF base, with one appearing to spray paint into an aircraft's jet engine. Addressing crowds at the national march for Palestine in Whitehall, former SNP leader Mr Yousaf said: 'While we stand a stone's throw from Downing Street, let's make it clear to the Prime Minister: You try to intimidate us with your anti-terror laws by abusing them, but you'll never silence us as we speak out against the genocide that you're supporting. 'We're not the terrorists – the ones that are literally killing children, they are the terrorists.' A pro-Palestine protester said it was 'absolutely horrendous' that the Government is preparing to ban Palestine Action. Artist Hannah Woodhouse, 61, told the PA news agency: 'The Government, since yesterday, have said they're also going to start to try to proscribe peace activists who are trying to take action against the genocide – so Palestine Action are now being targeted by our Government, which is absolutely horrendous.' Ms Woodhouse, who is from London, added: 'Counter-terrorism measures, it seems, are being used against non-violent peace protesters. 'The peace activists are trying to do the Government's job, which is to disarm Israel. The duty of any government right now is to disarm a genocidal state.' Musician Paloma Faith told pro-Palestine campaigners that she would not 'stick to music and stay away from politics'. Speaking to crowds at the march, the songwriter, 43, added: 'Those who facilitate these crimes against humanity need to be made accountable, not those of us who are compassionate and humane enough to stand against it.' Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told protesters that politicians were seeking to 'turn people who protest against the invasion of Iran or the occupation of Palestine into terrorists'. Some protesters were carrying Iran flags, with others hoisting signs – distributed by the Islamic Human Rights Commission – that read 'choose the right side of history' alongside a photo of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Human rights group Liberty said banning Palestine Action 'would be a huge step change in how counter-terror laws are applied'. Sam Grant, its external affairs director, said in a statement: 'Targeting a protest group with terrorism powers in this way is a shocking escalation of the Government's crackdown on protest and we urge the Home Secretary to rethink. 'It's clear the actions of Palestine Action don't meet the Government's own proportionality test to be proscribed as a terrorist group, but the consequences for the group's supporters if ministers go ahead would be heavy – with things like wearing their logo carrying prison sentences. 'This move needs to be viewed in light of the sustained crackdowns on protest we have seen from successive governments over recent years, and the worrying fact that there are more and more non-violent protesters spending years in prison.' The Palestine Coalition is comprised of a number of different groups, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Stop The War.
