Pro-Palestine protesters urge Christmas shoppers to boycott ‘Israeli-connected’ brands in London

Christmas shoppers in Central London were urged by 100s of pro-Palestinian protesters not to purchase items from Israeli-linked fashion stores, Sky News reported on Saturday.

Over 400 demonstrators marched from Soho Square, across Oxford Street, Regent Street and into Carnaby Street, where they grouped outside the Puma store with many chanting: “Shut it down.”

The Israeli national football team is sponsored by the sportswear brand Puma.

Puma was printed on a list of brands to boycott on leaflets that the demonstrators handed out.

During the march, protestors waved Palestinian flags, played music and let off smoke coloured red, black, green and white, held banners showing solidarity with Gaza while some blocked Puma store’s entrance.

Another targeted store was fashion giant, Zara, which had earlier this month removed an online advert following complaints it contained images resembling the Israel-Hamas war.

Two Zara branches were targeted by the protesters, who were heard shouting: “Zara, Zara, you can’t hide, stop supporting genocide.”

Security guards shut down the Zara stores and kept them guarded.

Police said no arrests were made during the march, which was organised by direct action group Sisters Uncut, which campaigns against gender-based violence.

As the demonstration started from Soho Square, protesters chanted “free Palestine”. Distributed leaflets read: “No Christmas as usual in a genocide. The UK is complicit.

“Don’t fund genocide in Palestine. Boycott Israel.”

As protestors marches towards Oxford Street, traffic came at a standstill.

“The protest was a pre-planned event by Sisters Uncut – yes, we have a policing presence there. The march has now moved from Oxford Street and it is fully open. There have been no arrests,” said a Met Police statement.