Disgusting moment as a pro-Palestinian protester breaks a balloon display set up for the Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and says ‘this is someone else’s demonstration’ before being taken away by police
A pro-Palestinian protester was seen taking down a balloon display set up in solidarity with Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas.
The as-yet-unnamed man was seen snatching light blue balloons during Sunday’s pro-Palestine march, believed to be organized by the Brighton and Hove Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
The man, who was carrying a large Palestinian flag at the time, was seen wearing a brown checked shirt, blue jeans and a black jacket.
When confronted by a shocked onlooker who asked him why he had broken off the balloons, he said: “This is someone else’s demonstration.”
When told that the public park where the protest took place was a “free space,” he replied, “No, but it’s not.”
As he turns to walk away, a police liaison officer is seen escorting the protester out of the protest area.
The man, who was carrying a large Palestinian flag at the time, was wearing a brown checked shirt, blue jeans and a black jacket.
A police liaison officer was seen leading the protester away from the protest area
He was later seen chatting freely with protesters about 20 minutes later.
It is currently unclear whether the demonstrator risks punishment for tearing the balloons.
Sussex Police said in a social media post earlier today: ‘We are aware of the content circulating on social media today in relation to the protest activity in Brighton and Hove and we have taken action.
‘A woman has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage; a man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault; a man has been arrested on suspicion of a racist crime against public order; and another man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and a racist offense against public order.”
It comes as hundreds of people gathered at a vigil in central London this morning to demand the safe return of the innocent civilians currently being held hostage by Hamas.
Many were draped in Israeli flags and holding posters reading “kidnapped” and “bring them home” with the names and faces of the hostages captured by the terrorist organization.
Emotional songs of peace rang out in Parliament Square as demonstrators sang the Israeli national anthem Hatikva – simply translated to ‘hope’.
Attendees also held solemn moments of silence interrupted only by chants of “Bring them home.”
Elsewhere in Britain, supporters also gathered at a silent vigil outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to remember those being held hostage.
Heart-shaped balloons were tied to shoes to represent each of the hundreds of people believed to have been kidnapped.
Hundreds of people gathered at a vigil in central London this morning to demand the safe return of the innocent civilians currently being held hostage by Hamas.
Many were draped in Israeli flags and holding posters reading “kidnapped” and “bring them home” with the names and faces of hostages captured by Hamas.
Emotional songs of peace rang out in Parliament Square as demonstrators gathered to sing the Israeli national anthem Hatikva – simply translated to ‘the hope’
Attendees also held solemn moments of silence interrupted only by chants of “Bring them home.”
Families and friends gather in Parliament Square holding photos with the names of Israeli hostages
Members of London’s Jewish community protest outside the British Parliament demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas
More than 1,300 people in Israel were killed when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack from Gaza on the south of the country.
Gunmen traveled by land and air, paraglided into Israel and attacked a music festival, shooting more than 260 people.
Elsewhere, Hamas militants killed entire villages and burned families in their own homes. Children and even babies were found shot dead in cold blood and even decapitated, officials said.
In response, Israel retaliated by ruthlessly bombing Gaza.
More than 9,000 people have been killed in Tel Aviv’s retaliation, which included a ground assault on the territory, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza.
The growing death toll since the deadly Hamas attacks on October 7 has sparked a large number of protests in Britain, with thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters taking to the streets in London, Glasgow and Belfast on Saturday to demand a ceasefire to demand.
Meanwhile, Hamas announced nearly a week ago that it would free the foreign hostages in its captivity in the coming days.
Elsewhere in Britain, supporters also gathered at a silent vigil outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to remember those being held hostage.
A collection of shoes was scattered on the floor, next to a poster that read ‘Bring them home’
Heart-shaped balloons were tied to shoes to represent each of the hundreds of people believed to have been kidnapped
A man can be seen carrying an Israeli flag on his back and paying his respects
Images of the hostages were also on display as many gathered to pay their respects
About 240 hostages are believed to be being held by Hamas in Gaza after the militant group attacked communities across southern Israel on October 7 – prompting a heavy bombing campaign and ground invasion of the area by the Israeli army.
So far, five hostages have been released, four of them after negotiations through diplomatic back channels and one after an Israeli army operation.
In a televised address, Abu Obeida, a spokesman for the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said: “We have informed intermediaries that we will release a certain number of foreigners in the coming days.”
The announcement came as international warnings mounted about the increasing bloodshed and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, on a day when Israeli forces and Hamas militants engaged in “fierce fighting” in the northern Gaza Strip.
“Gaza will be a graveyard and a swamp for the enemy, its soldiers and its political and military leaders,” Obeida said.