Pro-Palestinian protesters raid offices of UK media group

Police say protesters enter, occupy offices of media organization.

By JONNY PAUL, JPOST CORRESPONDENT IN LONDON
anti gaza op protest london 248.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
anti gaza op protest london 248.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
The offices of the Britain Israel Communications and Research Center (BICOM) in central London were raided by pro-Palestinian demonstrators on Tuesday. According to the Metropolitan Police, at 11:30 a.m., eight protesters with megaphones entered and occupied the offices of the media organization, causing some damage. The protesters apparently gained entry to the building by pretending to deliver a parcel for the organization. Lorna Fitzsimons, chief executive officer of BICOM, vowed to continue its work and condemned the actions of the protesters. "The vandalism and thuggery at our offices and against my staff this morning was totally and utterly reprehensible," she said. "We will continue our work at this important time to engage journalists and other opinion-formers in events in the Middle East, to show them that it is a far more difficult and complex situation than the vandals today like to pretend it is. "BICOM is a pro-peace organization that promotes understanding and dialogue, often promoting moderate Palestinian voices for the sake of a speedy and peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Middle East," she said. "Britain has a long tradition of debate and free speech. The violent attack against us today goes against all of that and does nothing for the people they claim to care about."