Activist with Israel flag in central London 'threatened with beheading' by protester

He claimed a small group of pro-Palestine protesters were outraged he was flying an Israeli flag.

Two masked men grabbed the flag but Behesthi was able to retrieve it.

WATCH NOW: Footage from a separate protest in Brighton

Other protesters ran towards him before Metropolitan Police officers managed to form a barricade in front of the 46-year-old and his fellow anti-Tehran activists.

Demonstrations have been held across the UK, with some held in support of Israel and others in support of Palestine.

The activity comes after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack against Israel last week, resulting in 1,300 deaths.

Israel responded to the onslaught by cutting off supplies to Gaza and Benjamin Netanyahu is now vowing to “demolish” the terror group.

Beheshti, who received a fatwa from Tehran over his campaign against its authoritarian regime, argued those who attempted to remove the flag, which was flown alongside the Ukrainian ensign, were opposed to “British values of democracy”.

• Israel-Hamas war leaves Middle East 'on verge of abyss' as 'fateful hour' in conflict looms
• Britain to send Navy ships and spy planes to aid Israel in bid to prevent 'escalation'
• Teacher stabbed to death and two more injured in school knife attack in France

Alicia Kearns, chairwoman of the foreign affairs select committee, said: “Horrified to see my friend Vahid Beheshti face this appalling abuse — he put his own life on the line to expose the Iranian regime for who they are and to urge action. His cause remains important — we must sanction the IRGC. Inaction emboldens.”

Nicola Richards, the Conservative MP, said: “Vahid is flying the Israeli flag because he stands for freedom, democracy and peace. He knows the danger of Iran, the IRGC, Hamas and Hezbollah.”

Scotland Yard made 15 arrests in connection with the protests.

Beheshti claimed a protester who threatened to behead him was among those arrested.

He said: "I would like to thank the Metropolitan Police who I believe saved my life from certain death on Saturday, when I was attacked by the supporters of terrorist organisations such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Islamic Republic's IRGC."

“This is purely because of our inaction in front of terrorists in this country. These are terrorists roaming the streets of London - not protesters. They have come with the intention to kill - not protest.”

Footage from Saturday showed one protester holding pictures of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei and Quds Force commander Qasen Soleimani.

Soleimani was assassinated during US drone strikes conducted in 2020.

Other protesters shouted “traitor” and “take the flag down”.

Beheshti confirmed the Israeli flag was stolen by the time he emerged from his tent on Sunday morning.

The Iranian dissident had a spare flag and soon replaced it.

The Metropolitan Police later confirmed a man was charged with possession of a knife in a public place and bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 2.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman thanked the police for their handling of the protests and issued a warning to particularly disruptive activists.

She said: “Thank you to police officers who worked so hard yesterday [October 14] in difficult circumstances to manage tens of thousands of protesters.

“Numerous arrests were made as a result of pockets of disorder, violence and hate.

“To all those who saw fit to promote genocide, glorify terrorism and mock the murder of Jewish people, including women and babies - the police are coming for you.”