The Met Police has today arrested nine people as thousands of pro-Palestine activists and Israel supporting counter protesters marched through London amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The force said that nine people were arrested for public order offences as of 5pm this evening.
The Met said in a statement: 'During a pro-Palestine protest and counter protests in Westminster on Saturday, 13 April the Met arrested nine people for public order offences.'
The Met said officers also policed five football matches in addition to the protests. Six people were arrested for a variety of offences at football matches.
All of these arrested have been taken to police stations, where they remained as of around 5.30pm.
The Met Police has today arrested nine people as thousands of pro-Palestine activists and Israel supporting counter protesters marched through London amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza (police pictured at the pro-Palestine protest in London today)
People hold a variety of flags and placards at the protests in London today, including Palestine and Israel national flags
Pro-Palestinian supporters speak with a police officer during a protest organised by Turning Point UK in London today
Commander Ade Adelekan, leading policing for the events said: 'The majority of those attending today's events did so peacefully.
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'The arrests made demonstrate that there are consequences for those whose behaviour steps outside the law.'
Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in London today to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and urge the Government to stop all arms sales to Israel.
Protesters marched from Russell Square to Parliament Square where speakers led chants of 'free Palestine' and addressed crowds of people waving Palestinian flags and holding signs calling for a 'ceasefire now' and an end to arms sales.
One man was arrested for a public order offence after making cut-throat gestures towards protesters at a significantly smaller pro-Israel counter-demonstration at Aldwych, the Metropolitan Police said.
The counter-protesters exchanged chants with the larger pro-Palestinian march as it passed by, calling for a release of hostages held by Hamas.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which organised the Pro-Palestinian protest, said some 80,000 people attended the march.
The Met said they deployed nearly 1,000 officers to police the events, which also included a demonstration held at the Cenotaph by right-wing group Turning Point UK.
Pro-Israel protesters hold signs stating 'Hamas are terrorists' and 'release the hostages'
Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in London today to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and urge the Government to stop all arms sales to Israel
A pro-Palestinian supporter speaks with a protester at a march organised by Turning Point UK
Parliament Square speakers included pro-Palestinian activists, journalists and Jeremy Corbyn, who said he rejected the idea that calls for an immediate ceasefire were 'dangerous and unrealistic'.
The former Labour leader said: 'What's dangerous and unrealistic is to kill tens of thousands of Palestinians and say that it's done in self-defence.'
'The International Court of Justice, the world court if you will, said that there were acts of genocide that had to be stopped,' the Islington North MP added.
'That's what the interim judgement said.'
Describing conversations about Israel in Parliament as 'deeply cynical', he said the 'attitude has changed' over the past few weeks.
Israeli strikes on Gaza have left more than 30,000 Palestinians dead, according to the area's Hamas-run health ministry.
Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters wave flags and hold placards as during a protest march in central London today as they call for a ceasefire in Gaza
Demonstrators from the Stop the War Coalition and Friends of Al-Aqsa hold signs during the protest today
Demonstrators hold a banner and flags stating 'Lee [Anderson] and Suella [Braverman] were right' as they attend a protest, organised by Turning Point UK
Mr Corbyn joined many other speakers in calling for the UK to cease arms sales to Israel and said there should be an immediate ceasefire.
Another speaker led the crowd in a chant of 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'.
Deputy assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan, who lead the policing operation, previously said of the protests: 'We recognise the conflict between Israel and Hamas is continuing to be an issue of concern for many Londoners.'
He added the force would police 'without fear or favour' and take action against criminal behaviour to ensure 'disruption to Londoners is minimised'.
