Supporters of Israel in challenge to tent protest on university campus
Police keep rival groups apart as counter-protesters say they will not be intimidated or bullied
POLICE held back crowds of protesters outside University College London (UCL) yesterday as Israel-supporting demonstrators confronted a pro-Palestine crowd.
The counter-protest came in response to an encampment that has been set up on the university’s campus in Bloomsbury, London.
UCL students have pitched tents near the main campus building to show their opposition to the institution’s position on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Around 100 Palestine supporters banged drums and waved flags yesterday, while chanting, “Free Palestine” over a megaphone.
They held signs saying “divest from death” and “no justice, no peace”.
They were challenged by around 50 Israel-supporting demonstrator, who also used a megaphone to amplify their chants of “Terrorists supporters off our streets” and “Anti-Semites off our streets”.
More than 40 Metropolitan Police officers were on the scene with a fleet of marked police vehicles parked nearby.
Officers marshalled the crowds on either side of the road. At one point, three men carrying signs saying “Hamas are terrorists” and holding Israel flags walked across the road to face down the Palestinian supporters.
Officers immediately grabbed the men and escorted them back to the opposite side of the road.
Police were also seen restraining other pro-Israel demonstrators who attempted to cross the road.
However, pro-Palestine activists who had crossed the road were allowed to shout in the faces of the Israel supporters for several minutes. Officers then spoke to the group and asked them to return to their own side.
One Israel supporter who was wearing a T-shirt with “enough is enough” written on it told The Telegraph: “University campuses have become threatening and racist places both in the UK and the US.
“There is currently a climate of fear and loathing in these places that I will not stand. That is why I am here, to stop these groups intimidating people.”
Sharon, who chose not to give her second name, was demonstrating in support of Israel.
The 47-year-old executive assistant from West London said: “These people are openly supporting Hamas, which is actually a criminal offence, and they are calling for Hamas to destroy a whole country of people. It’s really wrong on every level and not acceptable.
“They are chanting ‘intifada’, which is a call for an uprising, and ‘Khaybar Khaybar ya yahud’, which means slaughter Jews.
“Hamas are bloodthirsty terrorists who want to murder Jews.”
She added: “Police haven’t been policing the demonstrations, which is why we are here to help them identify these criminals.
“The police simply can’t be bothered. It’s not acceptable.
“That’s why it’s important to be here and to show we are not scared, and that we will not be bullied.”
When approached by The Telegraph, Palestine supporters refused to speak. The Metropolitan Police was contacted for comment.
Elsewhere, pro-Palestine protests were staged across the country. Protesters calling for a ceasefire were seen outside a Barclays bank on Tottenham Court Road, London.
The protesters claim that Barclays is “one of the biggest funders of the arms trade with Israel”.
In Leeds, a similar demonstration was held, with footage on social media showing around 100 people standing outside Leeds Art Gallery chanting: “We are the people, we won’t be silenced, stop bombing Gaza now, now, now.”
Pro-Palestine protesters also disrupted an awards dinner at the University of Leeds, injuring a security guard during a demonstration.
The activists targeted a student union awards dinner being held on the university campus on Thursday night.
It is understood that security was provided by the Leeds University Union, and that a female employee suffered a minor injury in the disruption.
Footage of the incident emerged yesterday showing the crowd jostling with security, who were attempting to preventing them entering the venue.
A spokesman for the university said: “We are deeply disappointed that an annual celebration of outstanding student contribution to University life was temporarily disrupted by… protesters entering the event.” The university said it would be “taking appropriate action” against the students.
Barclays have been contacted for comment. It has previously explained its investments reflect the shares held by its private wealth and retail customers and that the bank “would cease any relationship with any business where we saw evidence that it manufactures cluster bombs or components”.
‘Police haven’t been policing so we are here to help them identify the criminals’