A dozen of pro-Palestinian Protesters arrested by Met Police in London

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Feb 2024 23:46

The Metropolitan Police reported at least 12 arrests made during a pro-Palestinian rally in London, with charges including offenses related to placards, assaults on officers, and refusal to remove face coverings.

Protesters hold up flags and placards during a demonstration in support of Palestinian people in Gaza, in London, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

The Metropolitan Police reported on Saturday that at least 12 demonstrators were arrested before and during a pro-Palestinian rally in London. They noted that the majority of demonstrators remained peaceful in their actions.

"Today's protest has now fully concluded. There were 12 arrests for placard-related offenses, assaults on officers, and refusal to remove face coverings. Thankfully, none of the officers who were assaulted were seriously injured. Despite these arrests, the overwhelming majority who took part were peaceful and acted entirely with the law," the police said on X.

🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸
In London, marching on the Israeli embassy ✊🏼 #GazaGlobalAction #CeasefireNOW #StopTheGenocide pic.twitter.com/dGD5pGBLmR
— Birmingham Stop the War Coalition (@BrumStWC) February 17, 2024

Earlier on Saturday, ITV reported that a large pro-Palestinian demonstration was scheduled to take place in central London, close to the Israeli embassy. It is estimated that up to 250,000 individuals would participate in the protest.

Protests condemning the Israeli genocide against Gaza and urging for an immediate ceasefire are still taking place in several countries around the world, including cities such as Paris, Berlin, Utrecht, Istanbul, and multiple others.

Complicity in the genocide

The UK is one of four countries being sued by the government of Nicaragua at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its complicity in the Gaza genocide.

The Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) and the Al-Haq human rights organization in Ramallah have likewise launched legal action against the UK in the High Court in December 2023 for continuously sending weapons to "Israel".

On Tuesday, Declassified released a report detailing that the UK announced plans to provide training to Israeli military officers in the country.

Last year, the UK's defense ministry admitted its training of Israeli military personnel included medical training, “organizational design and concepts” and “defense education”.

While the ministry refused to disclose the details of the military agreement it signed with "Israel" in 2020, it said the agreement “enshrines ongoing joint training and exercises” contributing to “strengthening military ties”.

Protesters take action

On the flip side, protesters have been mobilizing efforts to prevent further assistance from reaching the Israeli regime, whether it be financial or military aid.

A report from British newspaper Morning Star on Wednesday reported that activists associated with Palestine Action, a UK-based pro-Palestinian protest network, barricaded the entrance to Elbit Systems, "Israel’s" largest weapons firm. The activists, focused on direct action tactics, blocked the firm's entrance by locking themselves together.

On February 4, activists shut down a fundraiser event for Israeli occupation soldiers in London. Hosted by the extremist British author and commentator Douglas Murray, the latter announced on his account on X that the central London event was moved to another location, claiming that "the theatre that was meant to be hosting it cowered to a campaign of intimidation."

On December 4, 2023, The Guardian reported that pro-Palestine protesters successfully compelled the closure of four arms factories in the UK that manufacture components for Israeli fighter jets.

These facilities include Eaton Mission Systems in Bournemouth, BAE Systems at Samlesbury Aerodrome in Lancashire, L3Harris factory in Brighton and Hove, and BAE Govan in Glasgow.