Pro-Palestinian groups planned their first march in central London just hours after Hamas launched its horrific October 7 attack on Israel, it has been revealed.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) notified the Metropolitan Police of its intention to stage a huge national protest on the same day that more than 1,100 people were killed and scores taken hostage.
A Freedom of Information request showed that organisers phoned the force at 12.50pm on October 7, 2023, just eight hours after Hamas first fired rockets into Israel.
The request was also made just as militants targeted the Nova Music Festival, leaving 364 people killed and hundreds more injured.
As the planned march was more than seven days away on October 14, police deemed the call to be ‘sufficient means’ of notification.
At least 15 were arrested at the October 14 protest in the capital, which saw protesters clash with police in Trafalgar Square as activists launched bottles, placards and flares at officers.
Protesters on October 14 2023 climb monuments in Trafalgar Square, central London
This aerial picture shows abandoned and torched vehicles at the site of the October 7 attack on the Supernova desert music Festival
Also in the capital, protesters on paragliders stuck to their backs and chanted ‘England is a terrorist state’, while others waved flags of proscribed terrorist organisations.
Similar demonstrations were staged in various cities across the UK – all before Israel launched retaliatory attacks on Gaza.
National marches have taken place on a regular basis since then, the latest of which was the subject on conditions from police to prevent it from starting near a Synagogue on a Saturday, the Jewish sabbath.
The Met said it had used powers under the Public Order Act ‘on more occasions than at any other point in recent history’ since October 2023.
Activists clash with police in Trafalgar Square. Organisers planned the first national pro-Palestinian demonstration just hours after Hamas launched its attack on October 7
Protesters let off smoke canisters near the BBC’s Broadcasting House as they gathered in support of Palestinians on October 14
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: ‘This revelation ends the charade that the Palestine Solidarity Campaign is a peaceful advocacy group.
‘For sixteen months, the Metropolitan Police has allowed regular anti-Israel marches by a group that rushed to activism while Jews were being slaughtered.
‘From day one, we have seen politicians and trade unions put their names to the PSC’s activities and address their events.
‘Enough is enough. Their support must be withdrawn and the PSC must be widely disavowed.’
MailOnline has contacted Metropolitan Police and the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign for comment.
