Police arrest women suspected of wearing pictures of Hamas paragliders during pro-Palestinian rally in UK

The two women came forward to police following an appeal

Counter-terrorism police have made two arrests after a group of women were photographed with images of Hamas paragliders.

Social media footage of a protest in Whitehall on 14 October showed two women with the image taped to their tops, while a third held a placard with it.

Two women, aged 29 and 44, came forward after recognising themselves in the pictures, which were widely shared, the Met Police said.

They were arrested on suspicion of inviting support for a proscribed organisation and are still being held in custody.

Hamas, which is classed as a terrorist organisation in the UK, used paragliders as part of its attack on Israel on 7 October which left more than 1,000 Israelis dead.

The Met Police are still looking for the third woman seen with the image of a paraglider on her top, as well as a man seen waving a placard with the words “I fully support Hamas”, during a protest on Bond Street on 21 October.

Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said:  “My officers are working night and day with our colleagues across the country to investigate suspected terrorism offences committed in the real world and online.

“I am grateful to the public who have reported information to us and I urge anyone who has information about the man and woman we are still seeking to please let us know.

“If the people in the pictures recognise themselves, I urge them to come forward so we can speak with them.”