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 country.

Protesters 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 hostages.

Some 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 police.

Adam 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 alive.

Some 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 internationally.

Julie, 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 groups.

Many of the protesters held signs saying ‘end Jew hatred’, with several attendees telling the BBC they were concerned for their safety in the UK.

Jewish 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 hostage.

Since then, 61,430 people have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli military operations, the health ministry says.

Sunday’s protest came a day after a demonstration in London in support of banned group Palestine Action, which saw 532 people arrested.