Tens of thousands at pro-Palestinian march in central London, new protests today

(Patria) - Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London on Saturday to call for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the latest in a series of weekend demonstrations in the capital since the start of the seven-week war, Reuters reported.

Saturday's rally, which according to police estimates was attended by 45,000 activists, took place during a four-day truce between Israel and Hamas.

Police, who distributed leaflets to warn demonstrators not to break the law, said they arrested 18 people, including a man seen carrying a poster with a swastika and six people who refused to disperse after the march.

"I would like to pay tribute to the vast majority who came to London today and exercised their right to lawful protest," said Ade Adelekan, deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

More than 120 demonstrators were arrested during a march earlier this month, when clashes broke out between police and far-right groups that had gathered to protest against pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

A protest against anti-Semitism is planned in London today, and the London Metropolitan Police said more than 1,500 officers will be on duty over the weekend to manage the two protests.