Police in London arrested several demonstrators who gathered in the city centre on Saturday to oppose the war in Gaza.

Police and the UK government had urged those planning the protest to postpone it, after a terror attack on Manchester's Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, killed two worshippers earlier this week.

Some politicians and religious leaders claimed pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which have been held regularly since the war in Gaza began, had played a role in spreading hatred of Jews.

The protests have been overwhemingly peaceful but some say chants such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” incite violence.

Others, including Jews who support the protests, say they want a ceasefire, an end to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.