Five Arrested at Pro-Palestine Rally in London on October 7 Anniversary
Metropolitan Police detained five people as pro-Palestine demonstrations took place in London and Scotland to mark the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks, with separate rallies in Edinburgh and Glasgow focusing on university divestment.
Five people were arrested in London as pro-Palestine demonstrations went ahead to mark the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks, with the Metropolitan Police confirming the detentions amid a heavy security operation across the capital.
The arrests came as protesters and counter-protesters gathered in central London, with police maintaining a visible presence to manage the competing demonstrations. The force had earlier warned that it would take action against any behaviour crossing the line into criminality, including racist chanting and the display of symbols deemed to support proscribed organisations.
Separately, rallies were held in Edinburgh and Glasgow, where demonstrators focused their demands on universities and institutions. In Edinburgh, the rally centred on calls for the university to cut its ties with companies linked with Israel, part of a broader divestment campaign that has become a central feature of pro-Palestine activism on UK campuses over the past year.
The London protest was one of several held across the UK on the anniversary date, which has become a focal point for both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrations since the attacks of October 7, 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza. The Metropolitan Police had been in discussions with organisers in the days leading up to the events, seeking to balance the right to protest with public order concerns.
In a related development, a student protest in Russell Square saw clashes between protesters and counter-protesters, with police making a total of 11 arrests across the day's events in the capital. Among those arrests were detentions for racist chanting outside the office of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, an incident that drew condemnation from community leaders.
The arrests in London reflect the heightened tensions surrounding this year's anniversary commemorations, which have tested the capacity of police forces across the UK to manage large-scale, emotionally charged gatherings. The Metropolitan Police has faced criticism from both sides of the debate over its handling of such protests, with some accusing it of being too lenient and others of being too heavy-handed.
In Scotland, the Edinburgh rally was notable for its specific focus on university investment policies, with organisers arguing that educational institutions should not profit from companies they allege are complicit in human rights abuses. Similar campaigns have been launched at universities across the UK, leading to debates about freedom of speech, academic independence, and the role of institutional investment.
The Glasgow demonstration, held on the same day, added to the nationwide picture of coordinated action. While the Scottish rallies passed without the arrests seen in London, they formed part of a wider mobilisation that organisers said was intended to keep the issue of Palestinian rights in the public eye.
Police have not yet released the names or specific charges of those arrested in London. The Metropolitan Police said its operation would continue to focus on preventing disorder and ensuring that protests remain lawful. The force has previously stated that it will not tolerate hate crime or support for banned groups at such events.
The anniversary demonstrations come amid ongoing international efforts to secure a ceasefire and address the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The UK government has continued to call for restraint and the protection of civilians, while domestic political debate over the conflict remains sharply polarised.
For communities in Britain, the events of the past year have brought the conflict close to home, with reported increases in both antisemitic and anti-Muslim incidents. Police forces have increased patrols around synagogues, mosques, and community centres, and have urged the public to report any threats.
The five arrests in London are likely to be followed by further investigations, with police reviewing footage from body-worn cameras and public submissions. Organisers of the pro-Palestine rallies have said they will continue to demonstrate peacefully, while counter-protesters have vowed to make their voices heard. The coming weeks will show whether the anniversary marks a peak in tensions or the start of a sustained period of protest activity across the UK.
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