Hundreds turn out for anti-Israel march in London

Several hundred people took part in the “Al Quds Day” March in London on Sunday.

Waving Palestinian flags and shouting cries of “end the occupation” and “Boycott Israel,” the participants came out to express their rage at the Jewish state’s treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

The crowd, made up of local Muslims, ultra-Orthodox Jews belonging to the anti-Zionist Neturi Karta sect and left wing activists, marched down the road, carrying signs and banners accusing Israel of genocide and ethnic cleansing, all under the watchful eyes of scores of police officers.

A small counter protest was held by Israel supporters, mostly members of the local Jewish and Israeli community, but also including right wing activists who yelled “terrorists” towards the marchers. Police managed to keep the sides separated in order to prevent clashes.

Israel advocates had called on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to cancel the rally in the British capital due to concerns that the march propagates displays of antisemitism and terrorism. Nearly 10,000 people signed a petition to have the march cancelled.

However, as London mayor, Khan has no authority to ban marches, with the responsibility lying with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police acting under instructions from the Home Secretary. UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd did not order such a ban.

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