This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g66x4xr6zo
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Hundreds march in London urging release of hostages held in Gaza | Hundreds march in London urging release of hostages held in Gaza |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Hundreds of pro-Israel demonstrators marched through central London on Sunday, demanding the release of hostages still held in Gaza and to show their support for the country. | Hundreds of pro-Israel demonstrators marched through central London on Sunday, demanding the release of hostages still held in Gaza and to show their support for the country. |
| Protesters led by the UK's chief rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and the Jewish direct action group Stop The Hate held Israeli flags and placards showing the faces of hostages. | Protesters led by the UK's chief rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and the Jewish direct action group Stop The Hate held Israeli flags and placards showing the faces of hostages. |
| Some expressed anger at the UK's intention to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel meets certain conditions, with several people telling the BBC that this was a "reward for Hamas". | Some expressed anger at the UK's intention to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel meets certain conditions, with several people telling the BBC that this was a "reward for Hamas". |
| One man, who was not part of the march, was arrested for common assault and a racially aggravated public order offence, the Metropolitan Police said. | One man, who was not part of the march, was arrested for common assault and a racially aggravated public order offence, the Metropolitan Police said. |
| Two further arrests for assault were made "following a disagreement between attendees in the crowd," it added. | Two further arrests for assault were made "following a disagreement between attendees in the crowd," it added. |
| The force estimated 2,000 people took part in the protest. | The force estimated 2,000 people took part in the protest. |
| Small scuffles briefly broke out near Trafalgar Square with a handful of people chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. Some were led away by police. | Small scuffles briefly broke out near Trafalgar Square with a handful of people chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. Some were led away by police. |
| Adam Ma'anit, who lost several family members in the Hamas-led cross-border attacks on 7 October 2023, said the UK government had not "exhausted all possibilities" to free the remaining hostages. | Adam Ma'anit, who lost several family members in the Hamas-led cross-border attacks on 7 October 2023, said the UK government had not "exhausted all possibilities" to free the remaining hostages. |
| "The freedom of the hostages unlocks new pathways, and it's the swiftest way to break the crisis in the Middle East," he told the BBC. | "The freedom of the hostages unlocks new pathways, and it's the swiftest way to break the crisis in the Middle East," he told the BBC. |
| "I want the UK government to stop messing things up," he said, referring to what he called its "bungled" announcement regarding possible recognition of a Palestinian state. | "I want the UK government to stop messing things up," he said, referring to what he called its "bungled" announcement regarding possible recognition of a Palestinian state. |
| Adam Ma'anit said the UK government could do more to help secure the release of hostages still being held in Gaza | Adam Ma'anit said the UK government could do more to help secure the release of hostages still being held in Gaza |
| It is thought 20, of the remaining 50 hostages held in Gaza, are believed to be alive. | It is thought 20, of the remaining 50 hostages held in Gaza, are believed to be alive. |
| Some protesters held pictures of Evyatar David - the 24-year-old who was shown looking emaciated and weak in a Hamas video released earlier this month, prompting outrage both in Israel and internationally. | Some protesters held pictures of Evyatar David - the 24-year-old who was shown looking emaciated and weak in a Hamas video released earlier this month, prompting outrage both in Israel and internationally. |
| Julie, who did not want to give her second name, told the BBC that "we need to carry on remembering" the hostages. | Julie, who did not want to give her second name, told the BBC that "we need to carry on remembering" the hostages. |
| "We need to get them home. We need more people here. There's a lot of moral confusion going on at the moment." | "We need to get them home. We need more people here. There's a lot of moral confusion going on at the moment." |
| Julie, one of the protesters, said the hostages should not be forgotten | Julie, one of the protesters, said the hostages should not be forgotten |
| Sir Keir Starmer said in July that the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza". | Sir Keir Starmer said in July that the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza". |
| The prime minister said Israel must also meet other conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire, committing to a long-term sustainable peace that delivers a two-state solution, and allowing the United Nations to restart the supply of aid. | The prime minister said Israel must also meet other conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire, committing to a long-term sustainable peace that delivers a two-state solution, and allowing the United Nations to restart the supply of aid. |
| But many protesters said Sir Keir should be prioritising the release of the hostages. | But many protesters said Sir Keir should be prioritising the release of the hostages. |
| "The hostages have been rotting in the tunnels and the British government haven't been putting pressure on Hamas," said Daniel, another protester. | "The hostages have been rotting in the tunnels and the British government haven't been putting pressure on Hamas," said Daniel, another protester. |
| "It's outrageous." | "It's outrageous." |
| A large security presence was in place for the march, including police and Jewish safety groups. | A large security presence was in place for the march, including police and Jewish safety groups. |
| Many of the protesters held signs saying 'end Jew hatred', with several attendees telling the BBC they were concerned for their safety in the UK. | Many of the protesters held signs saying 'end Jew hatred', with several attendees telling the BBC they were concerned for their safety in the UK. |
| Jewish groups say there has been a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in Britain since 7 October 2023, the date of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel when about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. | Jewish groups say there has been a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in Britain since 7 October 2023, the date of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel when about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. |
| Since then, 61,430 people have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli military operations, the health ministry says. | Since then, 61,430 people have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli military operations, the health ministry says. |
| Sunday's protest came a day after protesters marched through central London to express support for Palestinians, in a demonstration organised by the Palestine Coalition. |