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A total of 175 people were detained in the heart of London during protests in support of the proscribed group the pro-Palestinian organization, according to the London police force.

Organizers said hundreds participated in demonstrations supporting Palestine Action – a group which was outlawed by the government in July, rendering it unlawful to express backing or affiliation to them.

Demonstrations went ahead in spite of appeals from government officials and police who called for demonstrations to be postponed following the recent deadly assault on a synagogue in Manchester.

Sir Keir Starmer had encouraged protesters to "honor the sorrow of British Jews", while Jewish figures also criticized the protests.

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Defend Our Juries member, a prominent activist, stated he had "absolute certainty" that "all participants taking part in the quiet demonstration today will demonstrate profound regard and real grief for those impacted by the terrible tragedy at Heaton Park".

"I do not think that implies that we should be asked to relinquish on our right to stand up for those who are being ravaged by an ongoing, live mass killing in Gaza."

Those taking part "would have the deepest concern about growing levels of anti-Jewish sentiment", he added.

Prior to the demonstrations, the Met Police announced it would deploy 1,500 officers to the central London location to manage the protesters.

In an update on Saturday afternoon, the Met said the majority of those arrested were detained for gathering in the square; while a half-dozen were arrested for displaying a sign supporting the proscribed group on Westminster Bridge earlier in the day.

The force said each detention required effort because "many of those detained refused to leave out of the area and need to be carried".

The police said this is a process which necessitates a minimum of five officers to do so safely.

On the previous day, the London police wrote to the organizers to raise concerns about the amount of police resources the protest would divert at a time when "public safety measures and protective security" was required for the public.

But the organization, which has organized protests against the ban on Palestine Action, ignored these calls and proceeded with the demonstration.

Moments before the primary demonstration started in the central location, Defend Our Juries managed to display two banners over the north side of Westminster Bridge which stated: "I am against mass killing" and "I support Palestine Action".

The Met reported officers took down the signs moments later, and arrested those involved for backing a proscribed organization.

A comparable gathering held by a Manchester-based group also took place where a group of around 100 pro-Palestinian supporters gathered outside the city cathedral ahead of a procession.

The demonstrations were held just a short time after two Jewish men – Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz – were killed after Jihad Al-Shamie drove a car into individuals outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue.

The knifeman then attempted to enter his way into the synagogue before being shot dead by armed police. Three others were injured in the incident.

Ahead of the demonstrations, the Community Security Trust – which provides security for the Jewish community – told media outlets, the demonstrations were "extremely insensitive".

"For so many people who profess concern about human rights and care about freedoms, to be taking law enforcement personnel away from safeguarding the entitlements and freedoms of Jewish people to live their lives and attend worship in safety, all to support a proscribed terrorist organisation, which is not the same thing as supporting the Palestinians."

"These aspects are distinct. And I think it's remarkably self absorbed and insensitive to say the least."

The organization has urged the police to "prioritise safeguarding the community, rather than detaining those calmly displaying banners" in backing Palestine Action.

The government proscribed Palestine Action under anti-terrorism legislation in July, after activists broke into an RAF base and harmed two air force planes earlier in the year.

At multiple demonstrations since then, numerous individuals have been arrested for showing support for the organization, which has won permission to contest the prohibition.