Around 1,000 officers managed protesters and counter-protesters on opposite sides of the River Thames.

Police say they are investigating chants of “death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]” led by Bobby Vylan, of the punk duo Bob Vylan, at an Al Quds Day protest in central London.

Videos on social media appeared to show Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, making a speech at the demonstration before chanting “death, death to the IDF” as the crowd joined in.

Last year, police decided not to bring criminal charges after the group’s Glastonbury 2025 performance when Vylan led crowds in chants of “death, death to the IDF”.

In a post on X, the Met said: "We are aware of chanting made by a speaker at the Al Quds protest and will be investigating. "We recognise the concern footage and chanting like this causes, particularly with London’s Jewish communities.

  • geneva_convenience@lemmy.mlOP
    0·
    3 months ago

    It’s not a crime that was already decided last time. They’re simply doing lawfare and wasting taxpayer money to harass anti-genocide sentiment.

    Zero investigation of British IDF soldiers massacaring Palestinians so far by the way.

    • Veserr@sh.itjust.works
      01·
      3 months ago

      If every single Israeli was slaughtered, people attending Quds Day would celebrate.

      I’m sympathetic to Palestinians, but this day was created by the Iranian dictatorship to claim that Iranian militias will destroy Israel and take over the entire country. The point of this day isn’t to ask for justice for Palestinians. It’s to celebrate the Iranian regime and call for the destruction of Israel

      I grew up outside Britain. The UK left needs to understand who they associate with.

      The Pro-Iranian regime crowd is as bad as the pro-Netanyahu folks. Both are pieces of shit.

        • Veserr@sh.itjust.works
          01·
          3 months ago

          I don’t think associating with one of the most authoritarian country in the world will help Palestine.

          That’s a suicidal strategy.

          Look at Gaza right now. Is that what you call a victory? Because Iran called it a major victory.

          • mrdown@lemmy.world
            0·
            3 months ago

            Tell me what will help. I am looking at Gaza right now it is the result of the whole world being either neutral or fully supportive of Israel settler colonialism and genocide

            • Veserr@sh.itjust.works
              01·
              3 months ago

              Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. Hamas was democratically elected. Their first decision was to ban elections. Then they started throwing rockets. The result was 4 devastating wars with tremendous civilian casualties. This fifth war turned into a mass blood bath. The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing again, and again and again.