A pro-Palestinian demonstrator involved in the latest London protest is blaming the Hamas attacks of Oct 7 on America and Israel.

A man held a placard on the march claiming the terror attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and about 240 hostages being seized, was an attempt by the West to steal Iranian oil.

The banner read: “America Israel done 7 October attacks to take Iran’s oil like Iraq Libya.”

The man, who would not give his name, insisted the statement was not offensive.

Another protester held a placard that read: “One Holocaust does not justify another.”

Thousands of protesters gathered at Bank Junction, in the capital, from midday on Saturday as part of a global day of action for Palestine involving 30 countries, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said.

A “significant policing presence” was put in place, with around 1,700 officers along the route. Many of the officers were from forces outside London, the Metropolitan Police said.

A number of conditions had been put in place, the force said, including banning those participating from deviating from the agreed route, speeches ending at 4.30pm and an exclusion zone around the Israeli embassy.

James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, said he had been briefed by Sir Mark Rowley, the Met’s commissioner, on plans to “ensure order and safety” during the protest.

“I back them to use their powers to manage the protest and crack down on any criminality,” the Home Secretary said.

The seventh national march for Palestine will also feature an appearance by Little Amal, a giant puppet of a Syrian child refugee, which will join a group of Palestinian children.

The puppet became an international symbol of human rights after it travelled from the Turkish-Syrian border to Manchester in July 2021.

The march will move from Bank Junction along Fleet Street and Victoria Embankment to Parliament Square where speeches will take place.

Ben Jamal, PSC director, said: “Israel has tried to ensure that Palestinians feel nothing but despair as they conduct a genocide in Gaza. But the world stands in solidarity with Palestinians and millions of people will protest this weekend in cities around the world.”

On Sunday, a pro-Israel rally will be held in Trafalgar Square from 2.30pm.

Speakers will include Eylon Levy, an Israeli government spokesman, Ayelet Svatitzky, whose mother and brother were kidnapped by Hamas, Lord Pickles and Christian Wakeford MP.

The majority of protests and other events held in recent months have taken place without any notable disorder, the Met Police said, but there have been a number of arrests.

The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command has launched around 30 investigations into suspected offending at protests since Oct 7, the majority of which relate to potential terrorism offences.

Dept Asst Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who leads the policing operation this weekend, said: “We absolutely recognise the passion and strength of feeling sparked by the ongoing conflict and we respect the right of those who wish to protest and have their voices heard to do so.

“We police without fear or favour and where our policing approach differs it is a response to the intelligence and the nature of the event, not those taking part or the cause they represent.

“Officers are present primarily to ensure the safety of those involved, but where we see offences taking place, or where we are made aware of them either online or by other means, we will not hesitate to act.”