Pro-Palestine protest in Newcastle sees 'people arrested'

Demonstrators marched down Northumberland Street to Grey’s Monument in their droves as the bloody conflict continues.

The Echo understands several people were arrested at the event.

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An eyewitness told this paper: “There were at least five people led away in handcuffs by police.

“People were shouting ‘hands off him’ and ‘arrested for supporting Palestine’ as officers put cuffs on one protestor.

“It seems police have dispersed it all now.”

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Ensuring the safety of the public is our utmost priority and we had an increased presence in Newcastle city centre to deliver a proportionate policing response to protest activity taking place.

“The vast majority of those attending the scheduled protest did so peacefully.

“Officers arrested two men on suspicion of unlawful procession and another man on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.

“All three men have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.”

Palestine flags and supportive placards were waved as people chanted, with a heavy police presence.

Protest in support of Palestine in Newcastle on Saturday (October 14). (Image: NNP)

It comes after a vigil was held in Durham’s Market Place on Friday (October 13) with crowds draped in Palestinian flags and holding pickets reading “end the violence”, “save Gaza” and “we are humans too”.

Bill Williamson from the County Durham Palestine Solidarity Campaign said: “Our concern is with human life, and in the long term, peace.

Protest at Newcastle's Grey's Monument, (Image: NNP)

“At the moment, we are all dealing with feelings of anger that this is happening, despair at this moment there feels there is no way to stop it and hopelessness that we don't think governments are representing what we feel.”

The gatherings comes as Palestinians yesterday (Friday, October 13) began a mass exodus from northern Gaza after Israel’s military told them to evacuate ahead of an expected ground invasion.

The UN, human rights groups and others have been among those expressing deep concern about the impact of Israeli action on civilians, as the death toll continues to grow amid airstrikes and a siege on the territory.

Crowds marched along Northumberland Street. (Image: NNP)

As the conflict deepens, an RAF flight left Israel on Friday night as part of a UK Government effort to get British nationals to safety.

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A plane carried passengers to Cyprus, with the air force assisting the Foreign Office amid a limited availability of commercial flights.

Three Britons are confirmed to have died during last weekend’s assault on Israel, but reports have suggested at least 17 could be among the casualties.

The UK Government has been steadfast in support of Israel, with ministers also calling on police to use the “full force of the law” against shows of support for Hamas or bids to intimidate the UK’s Jewish community.

The Home Secretary suggested this week that waving Palestinian flags could in some contexts be seen as illegitimate.

Amid concerns about the scale of the Israeli response, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Friday that the country has “every right to defend itself” from Hamas attacks but stressed that civilian safety must be “paramount in our minds”.