London police deploy 4,000 officers for rival pro-Palestine and far-right protests
London's Metropolitan Police drafted more than 4,000 officers for Saturday, fearing clashes between far-right demonstrators and pro-Palestine marchers. The far-right event, Unite the Kingdom, is organized by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (Tommy Robinson), while the annual Nakba Day march is pro-Palestine. Officers will have riot gear, drones, and live facial recognition cameras. The protests follow rising hate crime, especially antisemitism, in Britain. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said some protests might be banned, and slogans like 'globalise the intifada' should be prosecuted. He pledged to use state power against antisemitism after an April stabbing of two Jewish men in North London. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman noted heightened fears in Jewish and Muslim communities.
Key facts
- London's Metropolitan Police drafted more than 4,000 officers.
- Far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (Tommy Robinson) organized Unite the Kingdom.
- Annual pro-Palestine Nakba Day march is taking place.
- Police equipped with riot gear, drones, and live facial recognition cameras.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested banning some protests and prosecuting 'globalise the intifada' chants.
- April stabbing in North London left two Jewish men hospitalized.
- Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman cited heightened fears in Jewish and Muslim communities.
- Protests occur amid rising antisemitism and hate crime in Britain.
Entities
Institutions
- London Metropolitan Police
- Unite the Kingdom
- Nakba Day
- Scotland Yard
- Palestine Coalition
Locations
- London
- Britain
- North London