Seven people have been arrested at a pro-Palestine rally in central London on Saturday amid a heavy police presence.
One man was detained on suspicion of displaying a placard suggesting support for banned organisations.
Four others were arrested on suspicion of public order offences, while two more were held for allegedly breaching protest conditions.
Despite a ceasefire deal being agreed, Palestine Solidarity Campaign Director Ben Jamal outlined several key demands during the Westminster rally.
The demands included the immediate enforcement of a ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza.
Seven people have been arrested at a pro-Palestine rally in central London on Saturday amid a heavy police presence
PA
The campaign also called for the release of all individuals held in illegal detention camps.
A lifting of the siege and immediate influx of humanitarian aid were among the core requirements.
Jamal emphasised their final demand was addressing root causes and “an end to British complicity with 76 years of Israel’s imposition of a system of apartheid.”
The ceasefire and hostage release deal will take effect on Sunday at 8.30am local time, according to a spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry.
On Saturday, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said 200 of the deployed officers came from other forces, with eight different forces providing support for the operation in London.
The arrests occurred as hundreds gathered in the capital for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) rally in Whitehall.
A masked protester wearing a Celtic football tracksuit was handcuffed and escorted away by police, prompting a large group to follow with megaphones chanting “Let him go.”
In a separate incident, officers detained a woman who was laid on the ground, drawing crowds who shouted “you’re a disgrace” and “shame on you.”
A brief scuffle erupted as police attempted to push back protesters surrounding the officers.
The woman was subsequently taken behind barriers by police while demonstrators continued their calls to “let her go.”
Protesters displayed signs reading “Gaza. Stop the massacre” and “Stop arming Israel” during the demonstration.
The Met said investigations into other allegations of inciting people to breach conditions are ongoing.
The PSC expressed confidence that none of its supporters would breach the conditions imposed by police for the rally.
The organisation described the Met’s restrictions as “repressive” and reiterated their call for police to allow them to march.
Despite a ceasefire deal being agreed, Palestine Solidarity Campaign Director Ben Jamal outlined several key demands during the Westminster rally
PA
Protesters gathered for a static rally in Whitehall after police curtailed original plans to march past the BBC and near a synagogue.
The Metropolitan Police denied creating a “ring of steel” around Broadcasting House, stating officers would be posted nearby.
Senior Conservative MP Bob Blackman stated those defying police orders by deliberately gathering outside a synagogue should face the “full force of the law.”
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign responded by saying: “We reiterate our call for the police to lift the repressive restrictions they have imposed and allow us to march.”
The group added that if prevented from marching, they would hold their rally on Whitehall in protest.
Officers were tasked with ensuring people understood the conditions and carrying out general policing duties, he added.
Campaign Against Antisemitism claimed pro-Palestine marches posed a “threat” to synagogues, criticising the Met’s previous responses to such protests.
The charity Community Security Trust issued a statement saying: “We have been working closely with the police and with affected Jewish community locations to put sufficient security in place so that services and other activities can go ahead in safety tomorrow.”