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LONDON: London police arrested six people who displayed support for a banned pro-Palestinian group on Saturday and carried away protesters who gathered for a demonstration, despite requests to call it off after a deadly attack at a synagogue in Manchester.

Two people were killed in the attack in the northwestern city on Thursday and police shot dead the assailant, a British man of Syrian descent who counter-terrorism police said may have been inspired by extremist Islamist ideology.

Organizers refused requests by the police and government to call off the demonstration, which had been announced before the attack, to protest against the banning of pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws.

STARMER CALLS FOR CALM

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for calm in a post on X on Saturday morning, saying : “I urge anyone thinking about protesting this weekend to recognize and respect the grief of British Jews.”

“This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain. It is a time to stand together,” he said.

Police said six people were arrested after unfurling a banner on Westminster Bridge outside parliament in support of Palestine Action, which was proscribed in July after members broke into an air base and damaged military planes.

Hundreds gathered for the main protest event in Trafalgar Square in central London, where police began carrying away protesters as seated activists wrote out slogans on placards declaring their support for Palestine Action. Onlookers chanted “shame on you” at officers.

The event is the latest in a series of protests, during which hundreds have been arrested for defying the government ban which makes it an offense to show support for Palestine Action.

Police said Saturday’s protests would draw resources away from security they have tightened around synagogues and mosques following Thursday’s attack.

Defend Our Juries, which organized Saturday’s protest, has condemned the attack on the Jewish community in Manchester, and urged police to focus on that, not policing the demonstration.

ANTISEMITIC AND ISLAMOPHOBIC INCIDENTS

Thursday’s attack followed incidents of antisemitic and Islamophobic hate in Britain this summer, and pro-Palestinian marchers have taken to the streets to denounce Israel, drawing criticism from some members of the Jewish community.

Jewish and Muslim communities in Britain have expressed fears for their safety.

Israel has been waging war on Hamas in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group carried out a deadly attack on southern Israel communities two years ago.

Israeli strikes killed several people in Gaza on Saturday although US President Donald Trump had urged it to stop its bombardment after Hamas said it was ready to release hostages and agreed to some aspects of a plan to halt the war.

Jewish and Muslim communities in Britain have expressed fears for their safety.

Hours after Thursday’s attack, pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police at a demonstration outside Starmer’s office, drawing sharp condemnation from interior minister Shabana Mahmood who called their action dishonorable and un-British.

ANTANANARIVO: Backers and foes of Madagascar’s cornered government were set to stage rival rallies in the capital Antananarivo Saturday after deadly youth-led protests the president has termed a coup bid.
Inspired by similar movements in Bangladesh, Nepal and Indonesia, the protests led by an online movement known as Gen Z Mada, have tapped into widespread frustration over poor governance, with demonstrators calling for President Andry Rajoelina to step down.
At least 22 people have been killed and hundreds injured, according to the United Nations, a toll the government has denied as based on rumors or misinformation.
The anti-government group is expected to converge in the center of Antananarivo, where a heavy police presence has been deployed and roadblocks set up.
Supporters of the embattled government are also set to rally in the capital for the first time.
Hundreds of government supporters were making their way to the meeting point, the Coliseum — a Roman-inspired amphitheater inaugurated by Rajoelina after he was first installed in power by the military in 2009 following a popular uprising.
In the northern city of Antsiranana, hundreds of students also marched, according to aAFP journalists.
Rajoelina, who has ignored calls to resigns, on Saturday shared footage of a meeting with trade unions.
The 51-year-old former mayor of Antananarivo on Friday said he was ready to listen to find solutions to problems facing the poor island nation.
He condemned what he said was an attempt to topple his government, without naming who was behind the move.
The protests, sparked by public anger over constant water and power cuts, forced Rajoelina to sack his government on Monday but that was not enough to placate the anger.
They started on September 25 and are the latest bout of unrest in Madagascar since it gained independence from France in 1960, posing the most significant challenge to Rajoelina’s tenure since his 2023 re-election.
The Gen Z movement demanded on Friday to be “consulted and heard” in the choice of a new premier and called for an investigation into the police response to the demonstrations.
“We are giving the president 24 hours to respond favorably to these demands,” said the group, vowing to take “all necessary measures.”
Rajoelina first came to power in 2009 following a coup sparked by an uprising that ousted former president Marc Ravalomanana.
Despite its natural resources, Madagascar remains among the world’s poorest countries.
Nearly three-quarters of its population of 32 million were living below the poverty line in 2022, according to the World Bank.
Corruption is widespread, with the country ranking 140th out of 180 in Transparency International’s index.