Met police: Huge increase in antisemitic attacks following Israel-Hamas war

UK counter terrorism officers are in Israel supporting the foreign office to investigate the death of British nationals taken hostage and those killed in the October 7 Hamas massacre.

There are currently up to 10 active counter terrorism investigations linked to internet related breaches of the Terrorism Act.

Detectives have now released images of four people they would like to speak to in relation to two alleged incidents during pro-Palestine protests in London.

Social media footage of a pro-Palestine protest in Whitehall on Saturday, 14 October shows two women with images of paragliders on their tops.

Detectives have been working to identify the women and officers are now asking the public to help in identifying a third woman who is seen on CCTV with them. The woman has a placard with the paraglider image attached to it.

Detectives are also trying to identify a man seen waving a placard with the words “I fully support Hamas” on it during a protest on Bond Street on Saturday, 21 October.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Detectives have carried out numerous enquiries to identify these people and we are now asking the public to take a good look at these images and tell us if they know who these people are.

“I would stress that we want to speak to these people to help us with our enquiries, and in fact, I would urge them to get in touch with us directly.”

The Met has is urging those taking part in protests to do so as "peacefully and respectfully as possible" this weekend.

Commander Kyle Gordon said his teams of officers were briefed to respond proactively to any chants or behaviour that could be considered illegal. But he said that police would assess potential breaches of the law on a case by case basis.

At the same time, the Met also says it will continue to have additional officers at synagogues and mosques around the capital to detect and deter any threats.

Earlier this week, Britain's most senior police officer said his force is "ruthless in tackling anyone who puts their foot over the legal line" during protests over the Israel-Hamas war. But he said those laws should be toughened up.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley's comments followed a meeting with the Home Secretary. Suella Braverman has criticised officers for not arresting pro-Palestine protesters calling for "jihad" against Israel.

Following last weekend's protests, a spokesperson for the Home Secretary said: "There can be no place for incitement to hatred or violence on Britain’s streets. The police are urged to crack down on anyone breaking the law".