Two pro-Gaza activists have laid a Palestinian flag at the Cenotaph calling for an arms embargo on Israel.

The activists, from protest group Youth Demand, were pictured sitting in front of the war memorial in central London having written “180,000 killed” in chalk on the ground.

In a statement, Youth Demand also threatened to disrupt the State Opening of parliament on Wednesday over the “atrocities unfolding in Gaza”.

It added: “Young people will not stand by as long as governments are supporting genocide. We deserve better. Young people all over the country are coming together to resist. Youth Demand is taking action in Central London from the 13th-20th July.”

One protestor, Olivia Burnett, 22, said: “At the end of World War Two, this country looked at the bodies and promised we would never allow these kinds of atrocities to happen again.

“This monument reminds us of those who gave their lives fighting a genocide, and that ‘never again’ means never again for anyone. 

“Labour is disrespecting this legacy by being complicit in genocide and allowing arms to be sold to Israel.”