Police launch hunt for 11 men who ‘wore Hamas-style headscarves, waved pro-terror signs and racially incited crowds’ during massive Palestine marches through London
- Met Police wishes to question 11 men seen in pro-Palestine marches in London
The Met Police is pursuing 11 men who allegedly spread messages in support of terrorist organisations during pro-Palestine rallies in London.
Some of the wanted men are said to have worn Hamas-style headscarves, waved pro-terror signs and racially incited crowds during the large marches after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7.
One of these incidents concerns an alleged incitement to racial hatred involving antisemitic chanting on Armistice Day. Police wish to speak to two men spotted in social media footage of the event.
The first man is aged between 20 and 30, he is described as bearded with light skin and was wearing a black baseball cap with a white front panel.
The second man is around the same age and also has light skin, with short dark hair and a goatee, and was wearing a black puffer jacket.
The Met Police is also exploring another incident in Trafalgar Square on November 4, in which two men were filmed chanting in support of Hamas.
Police wish to speak to these two men over an alleged incitement of racial hatred involving antisemitic chanting on Armistice Day
The Met Police is also exploring another incident in Trafalgar Square on November 4, in which two men were filmed chanting in support of Hamas
The first man (left) is believed to be in his 40s, and the other (right) is thought to be in his 20s
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Encouraging support for Hamas – a banned organisation – is an offence under the Terrorism Act.
The first man is described as Asian and is aged between 40 and 50, with a grey beard, He wore a dark hoodie with a distinctive white square on the left breast.
The second man is estimated to be 20 to 30 years old and wore a black hoodie, grey tracksuit bottoms and had a green covering around his neck.
Detectives are also wish to speak to six men seen in social media footage of a pro-Palestine protest on King Charles Street, central London, at around 4.15pm on October 14.
The investigation relates to allegations of inciting racial hatred and displaying an article in public that arouses reasonable suspicion of membership or support for a proscribed organisation.
The first man is described as around 25-35 years old, light skinned and of light-skinned appearance with very short dark hair and a beard. He is seen wearing a green headband with writing on it.
The second man is described as aged around 25 years old, white skinned or light skinned with light brown or dark blond hair that is curly and short. We also believe he has a light jawline beard.
The first man allegedly involved in the Charles Street incident is described as around 25-35 years old, light skinned and of light-skinned appearance with very short dark hair and a beard. He is seen wearing a green headband with writing on it
The second man is described as aged around 25 years old, white skinned or light skinned with light brown or dark blond hair that is curly and short. We also believe he has a light jawline beard
The third man is described as in his late 20s, with a light brown and a very closely shaven beard. He is wearing a dark baseball cap and black puffer coat
The fourth man is described as being 20-30 years old, and having short dark hair and a ginger or brown beard. He is wearing a cream zip-up fleece
The fifth man is described as aged 20-30, with closely shaven dark hair and a dark beard. He is wearing a Palestinian flag around his neck.
The sixth man appears to be in his 20s with short, dark, wavy hair. He is wearing a black puffer coat with a white circular logo on the left breast
Officers have been continuing their enquiries to identify a man seen waving a placard with the words ‘I fully support Hamas’ on it during a protest on Bond Street on Saturday, 21 October
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The third man is described as in his late 20s, with a light brown and a very closely shaven beard. He is wearing a dark baseball cap and black puffer coat.
The fourth man is thought to be 20-30 years old, and having short dark hair and a ginger or brown beard. He is wearing a cream zip-up fleece.
The fifth man is described as aged 20-30, with closely shaven dark hair and a dark beard. He is wearing a Palestinian flag around his neck.
The sixth man appears to be in his 20s with short, dark, wavy hair. He is wearing a black puffer coat with a white circular logo on the left breast.
Officers have been continuing their enquiries to identify a man seen waving a placard with the words ‘I fully support Hamas’ on it during a protest on Bond Street on Saturday, 21 October and the force continues to urge anyone with information about the man to contact them.
He has short hair, light skin and is wearing a blue jacket with a light top underneath, a light stripy scarf around his neck, and light trousers or jeans.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: ‘Having pursued various lines of enquiry to try and identify these men, we are now seeking the public’s help.
‘Many of the images we are sharing are very clear so I feel confident that there will be members of public who recognise the men. I really urge anyone who has information about these men – no matter how small – to call our confidential hotline.
‘And if any of these men recognise themselves, I encourage them to go to a police station, so we can speak with them.’
Anyone who knows who these people are or has information that could help the investigation is asked to report it in confidence online at gov.uk/ACT or by calling 0800 789 321.
An Armistice Day service took place at the Cenotaph at Whitehall at 11am on Saturday, which passed off peacefully with a two-minute silence being observed.
The Met Police said in an X post: ‘While the two minutes’ silence was marked respectfully and without incident on Whitehall, officers have faced aggression from counter-protesters who are in the area in significant numbers.’
A pro-Palestinian protesters holds a sign criticising the UK government
Protesters hold flares during a pro-Palestinian protest in London on Saturday
The coalition of groups behind Saturday’s march included the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain, Palestinian Forum in Britain and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
A huge crowd gathered in Hyde Park on Saturday to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Gathering near Parliament Square, the group threw projectiles and insulted officers. Metropolitan Police said 126 were arrested and nine officers were injured
Far right counter protestors gather at Wellington Arch in London on Saturday
The force added: ‘Officers have prevented those not involved in getting on to Whitehall so it can take place without disruption, as we committed.
‘They have faced unacceptable violence, including people throwing missiles and a metal barrier.’
Tommy Robinson, founder and former leader of the far-right English Defence League, was seen among the crowds of counter-protesters.
Mr Sunak arranged to meet Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to hold him ‘accountable’ for the handling of the disturbances.
The Prime Minister said in a statement: ‘I condemn the violent, wholly unacceptable scenes we have seen from the EDL (English Defence League) and associated groups and Hamas sympathisers attending the National March for Palestine.
‘The despicable actions of a minority of people undermine those who have chosen to express their views peacefully.’
He said their actions do ‘not defend the honour of our Armed Forces, but utterly disrespects them’.
‘That is true for EDL thugs attacking police officers and trespassing on the Cenotaph, and it is true for those singing antisemitic chants and brandishing pro-Hamas signs and clothing on protest.’
He said he would be meeting the Met chief, adding: ‘All criminality must be met with the full and swift force of the law. That is what I told the Met Police Commissioner on Wednesday, that is what they are accountable for and that is what I expect.’
Met Police officers respond to the demonstrations in central London on Saturday
A counter protester in Mayfair, London on Saturday holds an English flag in opposition to the Al Quds Day rally
Pro-Palestine marchers on Vauxhall Bridge in London on Saturday
People march during a pro-Palestinian rally in central London on Saturday
A large crowd gathered near Parliament Square on Saturday. Police said the group threw projectiles and insulted officers
Mr Sunak had vowed to hold the Scotland Yard boss ‘accountable’ if there was any trouble on Saturday, after Sir Mark resisted pressure from senior Tories to ban the pro-Palestinian march as it coincided with the day commemorating the end of the First World War.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said that the ‘extreme violence’ from the right-wing protesters towards the police was ‘extraordinary and deeply concerning’.
‘They arrived early, stating they were there to protect monuments, but some were already intoxicated, aggressive and clearly looking for confrontation.
‘Abuse was directed at officers protecting the Cenotaph, including chants of “you’re not English any more”.
‘This group were largely football hooligans from across the UK and spent most of the day attacking or threatening officers who were seeking to prevent them being able to confront the main march.
‘Many in these groups were stopped and searched and weapons including a knife, a baton and knuckleduster were found – as well as class A drugs.
‘Thanks to the considerable efforts of our officers, who put themselves in harm’s way, nobody was able to reach the Cenotaph, which was protected at all times.’
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