Police are present at Pro-Palestine protests at several locations throughout London.
Jewish Anti-Zionists led a morning prayer service in St Pancras station in support of Palestine.
The Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police tried to break up the protest but protesters were able to continue after chants of “let them pray”.
The occupation was organised by Jewish Anti-Zionist Action, according to their social media posts on Instagram. They demand an “immediate and sustained ceasefire in Israel-Palestine”, a termination of the “UK’s political, financial and military support for Israel”, and “the end of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.”
Protestors can be seen wearing white sheets saying “not in our name” and holding signs stating “Jews say: ceasefire now! None of us are free until Palestine is free.”
Whilst trying to do our morning prayer, protesting peacefully for Palestinians, @metpoliceuk & @BTP attempted to violently break us up and arrest those leading the prayer. It's only when we, with support from commuters, chanted "let them pray" that they stopped. https://t.co/R9X9p0LtAv
— Black-Jewish Alliance
(@BlackJewishA) November 2, 2023
A separate pro-Palestine protest organised by Palestine Action have thrown paint on the Britain’s Foreign Office and the Leonardo’s London HQ offices, where an occupier is also on the roof.
The Metropolitan Police say they have a man in police custody after “he was arrested by officers on suspicion of criminal damage following a protest in Eagle Place, Piccadilly.”
Another man remains on the entrance canopy of the building, and “officers are dealing with this man and once he is down safely will seek to arrest him for any offences.”
Leonardo supplies Israel with Apache Helicopters and parts for their F-35 fighter jets, used to bombard Gaza.
Today, we’re shutting them down in London! pic.twitter.com/GB3YaKfv4k
— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) November 2, 2023
Words like “free Gaza” and “terrorists” have been written in red paint, which the group say is used “to symbolise the Palestinian bloodshed by their weaponry.”
The group claim Leonardo provides Israel with weapons including “high-energy military laser” targeting systems, the Aermacchi M-346 aircraft and components for its Apache attack helicopters.
Palestine Action highlight today is the 106th anniversary of the Balfour declaration. In 1917, the British Government announced support for a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, then an Ottoman region.
Similar protests around London have been happening all week, with over 500 pro-Palestine protesters gathering at Liverpool Street station during the evening commute on Tuesday evening.
CEASEFIRE NOW!
pic.twitter.com/hyilf6Ea8o
— Sisters Uncut (@SistersUncut) October 31, 2023
The Metropolitan Police announced last month that Antisemitic hate crimes in London are up 1,350%.
Islamaphobic offences have also increased by 140% over the same period.
