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Protesters in Trafalgar Square
Photo:
Hollie Adams / Getty Images
Thousands of people demonstrated against Israel during protests in Great Britain and showed their solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza conflict.
The organizers estimated that more than 180,000 people attended a protest in London on Saturday afternoon alone.
This number could not be confirmed by an independent party.
The police said in their situation report late that evening of "a considerable number" of participants, but did not give a specific number.
The Guardian wrote that it could be "one of the largest pro-Palestinian demonstrations in British history."
The organizers of the demo had asked the British government on Facebook to impose sanctions on Israel.
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According to the Guardian, there were also pro-Palestinian protests in Manchester, Bristol, Peterborough and Nottingham.
A video showed how the crowd in London kept shouting "Free, free Palestine" and many participants waving Palestinian flags.
According to police, most of them marched from Victoria Embankment to Hyde Park without incident, where the crowd quietly dispersed after the announced speeches.
In the evening, a small group caused damage to a passing car in nearby streets and threw objects at officials.
There were seven arrests, but there were no other incidents.
Burnt Israeli flags
The protests apparently also included anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli attacks.
Photos showed some demonstrators burning an Israeli flag.
"The Times of Israel" reported that motorists pulled an Israeli flag behind their car.
Labor politicians, including John McDonnell, spoke at the demonstration.
According to the Guardian, he called Israel an "apartheid state": "The message is clear, we will not give up our solidarity campaign until there is justice," said McDonnell.
"No justice, no peace."
After the Middle East conflict had escalated again in recent weeks, there were also anti-Semitic demonstrations in several German cities, during which anti-Jewish and anti-Israel slogans were chanted.
A ceasefire in the Gaza conflict came into force on Friday.
Israel and the ruling Hamas in the Gaza Strip had agreed on this through the mediation of Egypt.
slü / dpa