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.

  • Veserr@sh.itjust.works
    216·
    4 days 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
        212·
        4 days 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
          7·
          4 days 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
            113·
            4 days 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.

            • mrdown@lemmy.world
              6·
              4 days ago

              Israel did not withdraw from Gaza, surrounding the territory is still considered occupation . The Un still refer to both Gaza and the west bank as occupied Palestinians land. Sanctions started before Hamas was even was elected , Israel never stopped killing and stealing Palestinians lands. Hamas rockets are thrown in response to the continuation of occupation . Israel and it’s backers are the only countries responsible for all those wars. Stop both siding the conflict

              The definition of stupidity is you justifying genocide and settler colonialism with the rhetoric of of the devil (hamas) made us doing it. The definition of stupidity is the west still talking about Israel right to defend themselves by committing genocide instead of isolating the terrorist state similar to Russia.

              You know very well that Israel will keep geocoding Palestinians regardless. First they was blaming the Arab countries, then the plo then hamas. Netenyahu was clear there will never be a palestinians state because the land is our.