{"id":803653,"date":"2026-05-17T21:13:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T21:13:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/803653\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T21:13:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T21:13:20","slug":"london-police-20-right-wing-12-anti-israel-protesters-arrested-in-dueling-rallies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/803653\/","title":{"rendered":"London police: 20 right-wing, 12 anti-Israel protesters arrested in dueling rallies"},"content":{"rendered":"

London police said Sunday that they arrested 20 people the previous day at a massive march organized by anti-Muslim activist Tommy Robinson, and 12 people at a counter-demonstration fused with an anti-Israel protest.<\/p>\n

The city\u2019s Metropolitan Police \u2014 which had already disclosed making 43 arrests Saturday after tens of thousands of people attended the dueling events \u2014 said 11 of those detained were either non-affiliated or their links were unconfirmed.<\/p>\n

The force had mounted its biggest operation in years<\/a> to manage both Robinson\u2019s \u201cUnite the Kingdom\u201d march and the anti-fascism rally organized by the Stand Up to Racism group, combined with protests marking Nakba Day, which commemorates the displacement of Palestinians in the war surrounding the establishment of Israel in 1948.<\/p>\n

Police had feared clashes after violent confrontations at Robinson\u2019s last London event in September \u2014 when up to 150,000 people turned out \u2014 and at dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrations amid the war sparked in Gaza by the Hamas-led onslaught of October 7, 2023.<\/p>\n

Robinson\u2019s rally drew about 60,000 attendees, while the Nakba Day gathering drew 15,000 to 20,000, according to Met estimates cited by UK media.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tGet The Times of Israel’s Daily Edition
\n\t\t\tby email and never miss our top stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tBy signing up, you agree to the terms<\/a><\/p>\n

The force did not respond to an AFP request for comment on the numbers. Organizers of both marches had claimed far greater turnouts.<\/p>\n

In its arrests update Sunday, the Met said there were 11 arrests for offenses related to hate crimes, with nine of those people arrested at Robinson\u2019s Unite the Kingdom event and two others at the Nakba Day march.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tFar-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known by his pseudonym Tommy Robinson, speaks during the \u2018Unite the Kingdom\u2019 rally in London on May 16, 2026. (AP Photo\/Kirsty Wigglesworth)<\/p>\n

\u201cThey included offenses motivated by race, religion, sexuality and disability,\u201d the force said, adding that a further seven suspected hate crimes at the Nakba protest remain under investigation.<\/p>\n

The other arrests at Robinson\u2019s rally ranged from public order and drunk and disorderly offenses to suspects being held for previous grievous bodily harm and telecommunications offenses.<\/p>\n

There were two arrests for assault on an emergency worker and one for possession of an offensive weapon.<\/p>\n

At the Nakba Day demonstration, the arrests included three for failing to remove a face covering, one for assault on an emergency worker and one for supporting a proscribed organization.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tProtesters carry posters and flags during an anti-Israel march in London on May 16, 2026. (AP Photo\/Thomas Krych)<\/p>\n

Robinson \u2014 a former soccer hooligan turned pro-Israel<\/a> far-right activist whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon \u2014 had urged his attendees not to wear masks or drink excessive alcohol, and to be \u201cpeaceful and courteous.\u201d<\/p>\n

From a stage in Parliament Square, which featured various far-right and other speakers, he claimed to be spearheading a \u201ccultural revolution,\u201d and urged attendees to get politically active ahead of \u201cthe battle of Britain\u201d in 2029, when the country\u2019s next general election is due.<\/p>\n


\n\t\t\t\tWhich gorgeous bird do you prefer?\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

THIS MONTH ONLY: <\/strong>Join our reader support group for as little as $6\/month<\/strong> and receive an exclusive tote bag featuring one of Israel\u2019s native birds.<\/p>\n

Choose between the\u00a0Duchifat<\/strong> (orange), Israel’s national bird, or the Shaldag<\/strong> (blue), a beloved symbol of the Israeli landscape.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As a member of the Times of Israel Community,<\/strong>\u00a0you’ll also enjoy:<\/strong><\/p>\n