Two women arrested on suspicion of 'race hate' crime after pro-Palestinian demo

Two women have been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred at the march in London yesterday that was calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The Metropolitan Police posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Following our appeal yesterday evening, two women have now been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred in Trafalgar Square. We'd like to thank the public for their assistance in sharing our appeal and for reporting the incident at the time. The suspects remain in custody."

Footage emerged on X earlier yesterday showing the women at the march holding a fake dead baby covered in blood while appearing to chant in Arabic references to a massacre of Jewish people by Muslim troops led by Muhammad.

Protesters let off smoke canisters as they walk over Westminster Bridge (AFP via Getty Images)

The two women leading the chant were surrounded by a sea of protestors, some were smiling and clapping along while many likely did not know the translation or meaning of the chant. The Met Police have previously arrested people for similar chants which they say can incite violence.

Releasing a photo of the two women on Saturday night, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: "Officers investigating a hate crime incident in Trafalgar Square would like to speak to these two women." People on social media were bemused that officers were not present at the time to make arrests. Ex-Met detective Peter Bleksley criticised his former force. He told the Sun: "This is sick behaviour. The Met said they would crack down on this sort of thing and quite simply they haven't. It's appalling."

Israel admits ‘serious failures’ over deadly strike but insists aid workers were mistaken for Hamas

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has called for greater clarity from the Government on policing extremism as he faces criticism over the handling of pro-Palestinian protests in London. The head of the country's biggest police force said about 100 people had been arrested at demonstrations held since the Hamas attack on Israel three weeks ago, with "many more" arrests expected in the near future.

But he said his officers are limited by legal definitions of extremism and arresting people without cause could risk "inflaming" the situation with the protesters. Sir Mark said he would support a review of the legal definition of extremism and how it should be policed. He told Trevor Phillips On Sunday on Sky News: "There is scope to be much sharper in how we deal with extremism within this country. The law was never designed to deal with extremism, there's a lot to do with terrorism and hate crime but we don't have a body of law that deals with extremism, and that is creating a gap."

The march yesterday was historic in size as people decried the British government's response to Israel's bombing of Gaza in retaliation to Hamas' attacks of October 7 that killed 1,400 Israelis. More than 8,000 people in Gaza have died as a result of the retaliatory action, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Dani Nadiri, 36, said UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s call for a "humanitarian pause" in the fighting to allow aid into Gaza and hostages to leave was not enough. "A full ceasefire needs to happen", the TV producer told AFP, adding: "It’s time now to do something rather than let it escalate any further."