US activists protest at British embassy over Gaza war complicity

US pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered at the British embassy in Washington on Wednesday to protest US and UK complicity in the nearly two-year genocidal war on Gaza.

In videos circulating online, activists were seen pouring red dye across a crosswalk near the British embassy to symbolise the scale of the bloodshed in Gaza, while others held banners and posters with slogans such as "Intervention now" and "All eyes on Gaza".

The demonstration came amid global outrage over the US and UK governments’ handling of the conflict and continued military and diplomatic backing of Israel.

A previous protest was held at the British embassy on Tuesday, held in solidarity with  hundreds of pro-Palestine activists who were arrested in London for their public support for the direct action group Palestine Action, which the UK government has proscribed as a "terrorist" organisation.

Medea Benjamin, the co-founder of US activist group CODEPINK, said in a statement: "Arresting hundreds for free speech makes a mockery of the UK’s claim to be a democratic country that respects human rights."

At least 890 people were arrested last weekend for showing support for the group.

Benjamin said that CODEPINK "stand[s] with our sisters and brothers in the UK to say: opposing genocide is not a crime."

The anti-war group also organised Tuesday’s protest at a local seafood restaurant near the White House, during a visit by US President Donald Trump and his cabinet to promote the deployment of the National Guard as part of efforts to crack down on crime in the capital.

According to footage shared on social media, Trump was seen shaking hands with diners inside before a small number of CODEPINK protesters unfurled Palestinian flags and chanted: "Free D.C.! Free Palestine! Trump is the Hitler of our time!"

On the other side of the Atlantic, protests took place against Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday, amid Israeli attacks on Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Qatar, and Yemen.

Calls have been made for Herzog to be arrested while he is in London, where he is expected to remain until Friday.

UK-based pro-Palestine legal rights group the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) said it has written to Scotland Yard urging police to investigate Herzog upon his arrival in the capital "on suspicion of bearing criminal liability for alleged war crimes."

"Herzog is suspected of bearing criminal liability for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture, and actions that constitute plausible genocide," the ICJP added.