Seven arrested at London protest against Israel’s war on Gaza
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Thousands gather in Whitehall and break through police lines to advance to Trafalgar Square. Seven arrests were made in central London on Saturday as thousands of people gathered to protest Israel’s 15-month war on Gaza, a day after a ceasefire deal was agreed with Hamas.
![[Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and former shadow chancellor John McDonnell among the protesters.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/4fd154bcab07266f2877d6e9b90c7b4386ab410c/0_354_5311_3187/master/5311.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
With signs saying “Stop arming Israel” and “Free Palestine”, protesters gathered in Whitehall, a week after police curtailed organisers’ plans to gather outside the BBC’s Broadcasting House due to its proximity to a synagogue. The crowds were initially blocked from marching up Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square by a line of police, but protesters broke through police lines to advance toward the central London landmark.
Footage posted on X appeared to show the former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and former shadow chancellor John McDonnell among the protesters passing by officers as the crowd moved towards Trafalgar Square. According to the PA news agency, police blocked entrances in and out of the square to contain the protest. The Metropolitan police said in a post on X: “The group that forced its way through the police line is now held at the north-west corner of Trafalgar Square.
“Anyone in that group should now disperse and leave the area. Anyone remaining in breach of the conditions, or inciting further breaches, will be arrested.”. During the protest, seven people were arrested, four on suspicion of public order offences, and two others on suspicion of breaching conditions for the protest, according to the Met. One of the conditions prevents those participating from entering a specific area around Portland Place.
