Violent confrontations erupted between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and law enforcement outside Downing Street’s gates yesterday evening, occurring just hours following a terror incident at a Manchester synagogue. Meanwhile, Forty individuals were taken into custody after violent scenes broke out when pro-Palestine demonstrators clashed with police.
Thousands of individuals carrying Palestinian flags assembled in central London on the same day two Jewish congregants were fatally attacked and three others wounded in the vehicle and blade assault.
They were reacting to a previous appeal to demonstrate against Greta Thunberg’s detention by the IDF. The information surfaces as the Manchester synagogue assailant gets identified following 2 fatalities.
Jihad Al-Shamie was fatally shot by officers on Thursday morning within moments of targeting worshippers at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester shortly before 9.30am.
The assault occurred on Yom Kippur, Judaism’s most sacred day, reports the Express.
Footage from the London demonstration reveals three police vehicles and numerous officers present at the location, with some grappling with protesters.
Another video displayed demonstrators in Leeds chanting “death, death to the IDF”.
Signs circulated on social media encouraged pro-Palestinian advocates to assemble at 19 sites across the UK between 5.30pm and 6pm on Thursday. The majority were major train stations, according to The Telegraph.
The venues where protesters were encouraged to congregate included Parliament Square in London, Cardiff Central, Sheffield railway station, Farnborough station in Surrey, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.
Activist dismisses synagogue attack A pro-Palestinian activist in Westminster declared today’s terror attack doesn’t compare to the situation involving Greta Thunberg’s flotilla.
Fiona Smith, 42, told The Telegraph: “I don’t give a f— about the Jewish community right now. I thought about it and I’m sorry about what happened, but the whole story and why we’re here is because of what happened yesterday [with the flotilla].”
The Swedish environmental activist and several companions were apprehended near the Israeli coastline this week while trying to navigate an aid convoy to Gaza. She’s anticipated to face deportation from the Jewish state soon.
Ms Smith’s companion, Sibilla Todaro, 39, who was also present at the demonstration and resides in London, stated: “The fact that they’ve been attacked doesn’t mean that we’ve not been attacked as well.
“We’ve been attacked for three years. The fact that we’re here does not mean that we do not respect them and we do not feel sorry for what happened, which is obviously a tragic incident. But we shouldn’t [stop everything] the show must go on.
“None of us are against the Jewish community – we’re against Zionism. There’s a lot of Jewish people here with us protesting, which clearly means they condemn what happened today as well as they support this. They’re not mutually exclusive.
“This is an emergency protest because there has been an attack yesterday – they’ve taken and effectively kidnapped a bunch of people in the flotilla from different countries in international waters and that’s a crime.
“But no one’s doing anything against Israel, because Israel is supported by the United States.”
Justin Alintoff, 26, a visitor from New York who got swept up in the demonstration, described the atmosphere as disheartening but not unexpected.
He said: “I think the problem is, when you ask the protesters here about the attack, they say, ‘It shouldn’t have happened, but…'”.
“But I don’t think there should be a ‘but’ after any terrorist attack, especially one which kills people that are trying to worship in peace.
“And so, I think it’s sad. It’s a shame. And unfortunately, it’s a part of Jewish history that we’ve been oppressed, we’ve been attacked.
“I’m from New York, and from those who I’ve spoken to, I’ve heard that people are extremely concerned and threatened in London.”
Clashes also erupted at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in downtown Manchester.
Earlier that day, authorities announced they would permit a rally to proceed at Manchester Piccadilly railway station just hours following the synagogue assault.
British Transport Police (BTP) stated they would “facilitate peaceful protest” but cautioned that officers would step in if demonstrators attempted to enter the station. One woman, who lost her hat in the chaos, expressed: “I’m just so upset this has been held today. I’m all for free speech on any other day but it’s not right to be doing this today.”
Among the critics was 49 year old Nick Voss, who stated: “After what’s happened today, this should have been cancelled out of respect. I know that they are on an opposing side, but I think it should have been cancelled.
“We all have a right to protest but these guys aren’t respectful. As far as I’m concerned, they’re terror supporters and far-Left communists and they disgust me to my absolute core.”
He added: “It was upsetting to see what happened in Heaton Park, I know a couple of people who were nearby when it happened and they’re shocked.
“I’ve come today to stand against this protest and I’ll do it every single week.”
Police caution protesters over plans to disrupt railway services.
In relation to the planned disruption to British railway services, Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan of BTP warned: “This is a direct appeal to anyone considering protesting on the railway network this evening – I urge you to think again.
“The railway is an incredibly dangerous environment and stepping on to railway tracks could very easily result in serious injury or death.
“Everyone has the right to protest but anyone wishing to do so should not be thinking about putting their lives, or anyone else’s, at risk by doing so on the tracks.
“I’d like to also take this opportunity to remind protesters that trespassing is a criminal offense and anyone responsible for unlawfully disrupting the network can expect to be arrested for obstructing the railway, a very serious offense which could lead to imprisonment.”
Alex Hearn, co-director of Labour Against Antisemitism said: “These so-called ‘pro-Palestinian’ marches have been characterized by anti-Jewish racism in placards, slogans and speeches.
“To go ahead with one in Manchester just days after a deadly attack against the Jewish community there is not just tone deaf – they list a proscribed terrorist group as a supporter.
“Like the celebratory rallies organized on Oct 7, this march is an unacceptable state of affairs that needs to be stopped for the public order.”
