Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have marched by means of central London – a day after the UK joined the US in attacking Houthi bases in Yemen.
The Iran-backed insurgent group, which helps Hamas, has been concentrating on industrial transport within the Red Sea.
It has vowed to break vessels it believes are heading to and from Israel till there’s a ceasefire in Gaza.
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One speaker in Parliament Square on Saturday mentioned British planes had been “flying where they do not belong”.
A couple of Yemeni flags have been noticed on the march, Sky News correspondent Ivor Bennett mentioned.
One placard learn “Hands off Yemen”. According to its bearer, the one approach to cease Houthi assaults on transport within the Red Sea is to help a ceasefire in Gaza.
Another placard learn: “UK + US wants war. Yemen supports Palestine. Gaza wants to live.”
Six arrests have been made, two of which have been “in relation to offensive placards”, the Metropolitan Police mentioned.
Another three folks have been arrested on suspicion of displaying help for a proscribed organisation – an offence underneath the Terrorism Act.
One particular person was held for being in possession of “stickers to be used for criminal damage”.
A “significant policing presence” of about 1,700 officers was deliberate by Scotland Yard, which has been handing out leaflets.
The protesters need Israel to cease its navy operations in Gaza, which adopted the Hamas assaults in Israel on 7 October.
Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, accused the British authorities of “complicity” with Israel.
Speaking in Parliament Square, he mentioned Palestine was a “nation of freedom fighters”, including: “I stand before you with a broken heart but not a broken spirit.”
He additionally congratulated South Africa for bringing a genocide case in opposition to Israel on the UN’s International Court of Justice.
That case has “gone down well with demonstrators”, Ivor Bennett mentioned, with one lady saying she was “ecstatic” on the information.
Mary Lou McDonald, the president of Sinn Fein, advised the gang that a greater scenario for the Palestinian folks is feasible.
“When I say this, standing in London, in common cause with you, (having) walked our own journey out of conflict, building peace for 25 years, this can happen,” she mentioned.
“This must happen and we will ensure that it does.”
Former Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn addressed protesters in Parliament Square, whereas his former shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, could possibly be seen main the march because it left Bank.
There are restrictions, together with: any particular person collaborating should not deviate from the desired route; the speeches needed to finish by 4.30pm; the entire occasion should finish by 5pm.
No participant within the protest was allowed to enter the realm across the Israeli Embassy.
James Cleverly, the house secretary, mentioned he had been briefed by Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley on plans to “ensure order and safety” throughout the protest.
“I back them to use their powers to manage the protest and crack down on any criminality,” he mentioned.
Source: information.sky.com”