Activist Peter Tatchell claimed at the Pro-Palestine March that protesters called him a “Zionist” and accused the housekeeper of arresting him for shouting anti-Hamas slogans.
Peter Tatchell accused the housekeeper of using police to “silence” his criticism of Hamas yesterday during a pro-Palestine march.
The veteran human rights activist is holding a placard to “Stop Israel’s Genocide”! Stop Hamas execution! When he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police.
Yesterday, Scotland Yard admitted that the 73-year-old was detained in March on Saturday after the Palestinian League protests raised “concerns about officials”.
Mr. Tatchell participated in a protest organized by the Palestinian Solidarity Movement to commemorate Nakbaday (the anniversary of the displacement of Palestinians during the Arab-Israel War 1948).
He said he participated in the protests to “condemn Israel’s genocide in Gaza but also expose Hamas’ execution of Palestinian critics.”
“I was shocked that my 54-year campaign will seek to use police to silence my criticism of Hamas,” Tachil said.
“My placard obviously condemns the genocide of Israel and provides freedom for Palestine’s freedom,” he added: “Before the march began, I was abused, threatened and threatened by a few protesters.
“Some say “f *** off”, others say “get out of here” and accuse me of being a “Zionist.”
Senior activist Peter Tatchell (pictured) accused the housekeeper of using police to “silence” his criticism of Hamas in a pro-Palestinian march after being arrested on Saturday
Police admitted that the 73-year-old (pictured center, holding a placard) was detained in March Saturday but insisted that officials had been “action in sincerity”
Oday Nasser Al Rabay was kidnapped, tortured and executed by Hamas terrorists after participating in a protest against terrorist groups
“The police were still next to me despite my threats and did nothing. I was afraid of my safety, but the police did not intervene.
Mr Tachel said the Palestinian Solidarity Movement steward then mistakenly told police that he had been shouting “Hamas is a terrorist”, adding that the police told him that yelling such a slogan “is a potential criminal offense.”
The activist said that a policeman then approached him, who mistakenly believed he was “part of the counter-protest” and was arrested for a serious racial and religious violation of peace in the Public Order Act.
The Australian-born campaigner is known for his work spanning over 50 years and advocates for LGBT rights and social justice campaigns, among other reasons.
He said he had obtained the Knight status three times, all of which were rejected.
Mr. Tacher said: “The police picked me out of all the hundreds of people who marched in this part… They said they were asked to remove me from the Palestine solidarity movement.
“The Palestinian Solidarity Movement has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to get arrested? Why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by Palestinian supporters?
“It’s outrageous that those who criticize Hamas’ human rights violations may be arrested in the UK in 2025.”
Metropolitan police said Mr. Tachil would not take any further action and would review his “handling of the incident to fully understand what happened”.
A spokesman added: “Although the officers acted sincerely based on the information they received at the time, we now know that Mr. Tacher was legally participating in the Palestinian League protests…
“Once the police realize that they have made a mistake, he is released with the earliest opportunity.”
The Palestine solidarity campaign has been contacted for comment.
