Police in London have initiated an investigation into the chanting of “death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)” by Bobby Vylan during the Al-Quds day demonstration. Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, repeated the controversial chant he made at last year’s Glastonbury Festival while speaking at the protest today.

Numerous individuals in the crowd joined in with the chants, leading to 12 arrests by the Metropolitan Police during the protest and counter-protest. The police stated that they are looking into the chanting and its impact, especially on the Jewish communities in London. The investigation focuses on the specific chant “death, death to the IDF.”

The Metropolitan Police had prepared for a potentially challenging public order situation, deploying over 1,000 officers to manage the crowd. Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan mentioned that fewer people attended the event than anticipated, attributing it to the imposed restrictions that made it easier for officers to maintain order.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood granted a one-month ban on the annual march organized by the Islamic Human Rights Commission, marking the first such restriction on protests since 2012. Despite the ban on the march, people could still participate in a static protest legally.

At the demonstration, hundreds of individuals carrying Palestine flags and banners gathered, some displaying messages like “Free Palestine” and “No to Israeli occupation.” One protester held a sign saying “Boom boom Tel Aviv,” while others displayed images of Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with accompanying messages.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis criticized the slogans used at the event, stating that they incite hatred against Jews. The Al-Quds Day demonstration faced backlash for its perceived support of the Iranian regime due to expressed admiration for the country’s late leader.

Counter-protesters were present on the opposite side of the Thames, waving Israeli flags and holding signs denouncing Hamas as a terrorist organization. Police presence was strong along the road and Lambeth Bridge, with police boats used on the River Thames to maintain separation between the protest and counter-protest.

All demonstrations had to occur between Vauxhall and Lambeth bridges within a designated time frame, as specified by the Metropolitan Police. Al-Quds Day, named after the Arabic term for Jerusalem, typically falls on the last Friday of Ramadan.