'Utterly offensive!' Anti-Israel protesters unveil 'genocide' banner outside Parliament

The demonstration marked one of the most visible protests against Israel's actions in Gaza to take place directly outside the Houses of Parliament.

An Israeli historian, Professor Amos Goldberg, issued a statement supporting the protest's message.

"Yes, it's a genocide. And once you come to this conclusion, you cannot remain silent," he said.

Professor Goldberg explained that genocide does not need to mirror the Holocaust, citing the UN Genocide Convention's definition of "deliberately destroying a group in whole or in part".

He claimed that Benjamin Netanyahu's Israeli Government, military and media had demonstrated "clear indication of intent to destroy Gaza".

However, British political figures swiftly condemned the Parliament Square demonstration.

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage argued the protesters "should have been stopped" from displaying the banner.

Deputy leader Richard Tice added: "Imagine how long a similar poster saying Israel can defend itself would last."

Greg Smith, Conservative MP for Mid Buckinghamshire, also criticised the protest.

He claimed: "There is legitimate protest, and then there is this - utterly offensive and wrong."

The protest follows recent confrontations between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups in London over the weekend.

Pro-Israel supporters confronted pro-Palestine marchers after some allegedly carried signs comparing the Gaza conflict to the Holocaust.

Such placards have been denounced as anti-Semitic for diminishing the Holocaust's unique nature.

Counter-protesters from Stop Hate UK gathered near Piccadilly Circus during the National Demonstration for Palestine.

Police maintained separation between the groups as the march proceeded towards Whitehall.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the Parliament Square demonstration concluded without any arrests being made.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which helped organise Saturday's march, has maintained its stance that Britain is complicit in what it describes as "Israel's genocide and apartheid of Gaza".

The latest spate of protests come after the Strip's Hamas-run Health Ministry claimed Gaza's death toll rose to 44,502 yesterday.