Counter-protesters confront pro-Palestine marchers in London on third anniversary of October 7 attacks

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026.

Dan Levene, 52, was beaten by anti-Israel graffiti vandals in London the night before the anniversary marches, with police treating the attack as an antisemitic hate crime. Police made 11 arrests across the capital on the October 7 anniversary, including five for inciting racial hatred after crowds chanted for "intifada" outside the Board of Deputies in Camden. Counter-protesters holding Israeli flags faced pro-Palestine demonstrators near Russell Square, with shouts of "scumbags" and "terrorist supporters off our streets" ringing out.

Levene told reporters he was punched and kicked in the head and ribs after confronting activists spraying anti-Israel graffiti linked to the Green Party's 'Zionism is racism' motion.

A pro-Israel attendee confronted marchers directly: 'Today of all days you protest — it's October 7, you are disgusting, shame on you all.'

US antisemitism envoy Deborah Lipstadt called London Mayor's statement marking the anniversary 'revolting'.