Anti-Israel protesters block Marble Arch saying they have 'claimed the streets of London with 50 police officers trailing behind'

Anti-Israel protesters blocked roads around Marble Arch today causing furious motorists to be held up in traffic. 

Action group Youth Demand said they had 'claimed the streets of London' with '50 police officers trailing behind' during the protest at 2.30 this afternoon. 

The Met Police, however, said they had successfully cleared the area by 2.55pm and made eight arrests. 

The group were demanding a two-way arms embargo on Israel and for the new UK government to halt all new oil and gas licences granted since 2021. 

Protesters with Palestinian flags were filmed sitting in the middle of the road and had to be carried away by police.

Others were pictured holding up signs that read 'Stop British arms sales to Israel'. 

Youth Demand posted on social media: 'Despite up to 50 police officers trailing behind, young people have claimed the streets of London.

'We refuse to be silenced when our government is complicit in genocide.'

The protest comes after Youth Demand said they would escalate their action on July 13 and encouraged people to meet at Russell Square gardens at 12pm today. 

The event started with a series of speeches about the war in Gaza and what Youth Demand can do about it.  

The group has also said it will be taking further action across Central London this week.  

Eight people were arrested on suspicion of breaching the Public Order Act, the Metropolitan Police have said. 

A spokesperson for the force said: 'Officers are in Marble Arch with protesters who have blocked oncoming traffic. 

'Officers have made arrests and are working to clear the road.' 

A Youth Demand Spokesperson said: 'We have a new government and despite the victory of Just Stop Oil in achieving its initial demand for the government to halt new oil and gas licences in the UK, it is clear current policies are insufficient to protect citizens in the UK and abroad from the impending climate hell being forced onto us by corporations and the powerful.

'In addition, despite Labour losing seats in a number of constituencies, as a result of their morally repugnant inability to condemn the war crimes being committed by the Israeli state, Labour are continuing to allow weapons trading with a country that is using British-made equipment to battle-test on toddlers. 

'Babies in Gaza are having to have limbs amputated without anesthetic, whilst children are buried under rubble right now! 

'Let their screams haunt those in positions of power who are unable to stand up for what's right. History will brutally condemn those who failed to act on this atrocity.'