UK police arrested two pro-Palestinian demonstrators on Monday following a protest at the Cenotaph war memorial in central London. Photographs and video footage revealed a Palestinian flag placed in front of the Cenotaph, with the words '180,000 killed' spray-painted on the ground near the monument. The Cenotaph serves as the central point for annual national events commemorating Britain's war dead.
The Metropolitan Police stated on X that 'two women were swiftly arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and are currently in custody,' noting that the damage was to the road, not the monument itself. The Youth Demand group issued a statement claiming responsibility for the action, stating it aimed to 'commemorate the thousands killed in Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza.'
Youth Demand is advocating for a two-way arms embargo on Israel and urging the new UK government to cease all new oil and gas licenses issued since 2021. The group also plans to disrupt the State Opening of Parliament by King Charles on Wednesday. Last month, Youth Demand organized a protest at the former prime minister Rishi Sunak's constituency home.
The conflict in Gaza was initiated by Hamas's surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, which led to the deaths of 1,195 people, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures. Hamas also captured 251 hostages, 116 of whom remain in Gaza, including 42 whom the Israeli military claims are deceased. In response, Israel launched a military operation that has resulted in at least 38,584 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to data from the Gaza health ministry.
