LONDON — Metropolitan Police officers were deployed to separate rival protest groups outside the Edgware United synagogue in north-west London on Sunday. Approximately 1,000 people participated in the demonstrations, which followed controversy over an Israeli real estate event held at the synagogue.

Police reported arresting five individuals for violent disorder, seven for Public Order Act offenses, and one person for common assault. Four of the Public Order Act arrests were alleged to be racially or religiously aggravated. One source reported 14 arrests, while a second source stated 15 individuals were arrested during the demonstrations.

The synagogue hosted the invite-only Great Israeli Real Estate Event, an event organized by the My Home in Israel agency that promoted property sales and provided information on burial services. Attendees at the real estate event passed through metal detectors to enter the building. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators stated the event promoted real estate in territories occupied by Israel, while event organizers stated the event did not market property in occupied territories.

Metropolitan Police Commander Adam Slonecki said, "We have liaised with the venue and the community security trust and have deployed officers to prevent serious disruption and to deal with any offences, using the full range of powers available to us including imposing conditions under the Public Order Act." He added, "We are mindful that Jewish communities are experiencing heightened fear and concern following two and a half years of sustained protest and, in recent months, a series of arsons and other attacks." Slonecki stated, "There is a distinction between protesting in central London and protesting in the heart of communities where the potential to cause serious disruption and intimidation is greater and our policing plan reflects that."

Palestinian Youth Movement Organizer Jeanine Hourani commented, "We're here today protesting as Palestinians living in London, to say that we refuse the selling of our lands, our homelands. We know that what is happening today is illegal under international law." A letter signed by approximately 100 members of parliament and peers, addressed to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, requested the event be canceled. These legislators stated that allowing the event to proceed would be inconsistent with UK government guidance on settlement-related economic activity and stand in opposition to obligations under international law. Member of Parliament Layla Moran said, "It is a stain on the British public and the international rule of law that this event has been allowed to go ahead today. The fact is it should have never gone ahead; the Metropolitan Police should have stopped it and if the laws don't exist to do that, then we need to move swiftly to put an end to this kind of transaction happening on British soil."

The International Court of Justice issued a ruling in 2024 stating that Israel's occupation was unlawful and should end. Amnesty International also requested the cancellation of the event.