175 Arrested at London Pro‑Palestine Vigil

On Oct. 4 pro‑Palestine demonstrations went ahead in central London despite appeals by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and police to postpone following a Manchester synagogue attack that killed two people. The Metropolitan Police said about 175 people were arrested for offences including supporting the proscribed group Palestine Action, though some outlets reported higher totals; six were detained after unfurling a banner on Westminster Bridge. Organisers Defend Our Juries said more than 1,000 people attended a silent vigil protesting July's proscription of Palestine Action, prompting criticism from Jewish leaders who called the timing "phenomenally tone deaf." The Met deployed roughly 1,500 officers and said many arrests required up to five officers to carry non‑compliant or elderly demonstrators out; reports noted detainees included elderly people and a blind person. The London action formed part of wider European protests against Israel's war in Gaza, where tens of thousands rallied in cities including Barcelona, Rome and Lisbon and arrests were also reported.