‘While you’re shopping bombs are dropping’: Protesters in London call on shoppers to boycott ‘Israel-linked’ brands
More now on the pro-Palestinian protests in London – where hundreds have marched on Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street and busy shopping districts in the capital’s West End.
Some chanted “while you’re shopping, bombs are dropping”, referring to Israel’s response to the 7 October attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas.
They stopped outside two Zara stores as they urged Christmas shoppers to boycott “Israeli-linked” brands.
Both the Zara stores were closed and guarded by security.
Some chanted: “Zara, Zara, you can’t hide, stop supporting genocide.”
Earlier this month, Zara pulled an ad following complaints that it contained pictures resembling images from the Israel-Hamas war.
The company said it regretted a “misunderstanding” about the images after some customers “saw in them something far from what was intended when they were created”.
Protesters also chanted “shut it down” outside a Puma shop on Carnaby Street.
The sports company was included on a list of brands to boycott which was written on leaflets handed out.
Calls to boycott Puma stem from the firm’s sponsorship of Israel’s national football team.
Saturday’s demonstration, organised by direct action group Sisters Uncut, began in Soho Square, where protesters chanted “free Palestine”.
