Pro-Palestinian protesters gather on one side of Thames as those backing US-Israel war on Iran meet on the other
Twelve people were arrested as hundreds joined a pro-Palestinian al-Quds Day demonstration on one side of the Thames, while hundreds more gathered on the opposite bank to back Israeli and American attacks on Iran.
At least 1,000 police officers were drafted in to keep the two rival protests apart. Lambeth Bridge, the nearest river crossing to each rally, remained closed on Sunday afternoon.
The Metropolitan police assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “We made 12 arrests including for showing support for a proscribed organisation, affray and for threatening or abusive behaviour. We are also investigating chants made by a speaker at the al-Quds protest.”
The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, granted a police request to ban al-Quds protesters from marching, for the first time since 2012. She said: “I expect to see the full force of the law applied to anyone spreading hatred and division instead of exercising their right to peaceful protest.”
