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Hundreds of pro-Israel demonstrators marched through central London on Sunday, demanding the release of hostages still held in Gaza and to show their support for the country.<\/p>\n
Protesters led by the UK’s chief rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and the Jewish direct action group Stop The Hate held Israeli flags and placards showing the faces of hostages.<\/p>\n
Some expressed anger at the UK’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state<\/a> in September unless Israel meets certain conditions, with several people telling the BBC that this was a “reward for Hamas”.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Two further arrests for assault were made “following a disagreement between attendees in the crowd,” it added.<\/p>\n The force estimated 2,000 people took part in the protest.<\/p>\n Small scuffles briefly broke out near Trafalgar Square with a handful of people chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. Some were led away by police.<\/p>\n Adam Ma’anit, who lost several family members in the Hamas-led cross-border attacks on 7 October 2023<\/a>, said the UK government had not “exhausted all possibilities” to free the remaining hostages.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “I want the UK government to stop messing things up,” he said, referring to what he called its “bungled” announcement regarding possible recognition of a Palestinian state.<\/p>\n