Israeli-born anti-Netanyahu protester ‘violently attacked’ at ‘Bring Them Home’ demonstration in London

An Israeli-born video director has claimed he was brutally attacked, pushed to the ground and injured after holding up a placard against Benjamin Netanyahu at the recent “Bring Them Home” demonstration in central London.

Aviel Lewis, 59, who has served in the Israeli army, including in Lebanon, said he believes at least one person wrapped in an Israeli flag and wearing a kippah was responsible for the alleged attack. His sign, which read “Netanyahu kill the hostages and innocent Palestinians,” was ripped to pieces in the attack.

A second person who was also attending the demonstration may also have been involved in the attack. However, this person may have decided to hold him down to the ground to prevent further violence.

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Lewis confirmed that he had made a statement to the Metropolitan Police on Monday about the incident, as a result of which he suffered from aching limbs and headaches the following day.

Aviel Lewis with torn sign after incident at Bring Them Home demo

Lewis said he attended Sunday’s demonstration, organised by the UK branches of the 7/10 Human Chain group and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, and was confident it would represent a “wide spectrum” of views on how best to free the 125 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Speakers at the event, which was attended by former Interior Minister Suella Braverman and attracted an estimated 40,000 people, included Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, relatives of the hostages and Lord Stuart Polak.

Lewis said he attended the demonstration to “make a point,” as is common at Israeli hostage protests. He accused Netanyahu of wanting to prolong the war and made it clear that the hostages would probably only be returned “in coffins.”

He said he had previously discussed with the protesters for about 30 minutes and most of them appeared to share the same view that the war must continue.

But as Lewis was walking to visit friends staying at the Waldorf Hotel, just minutes from where he was staying, he said he was attacked by at least one, possibly two, assailants.

“I felt a violent push and (someone) grabbed my shield. Then I was immediately pulled to the ground as I tried to fight back and grab it again,” he recalls.

“While I was on the ground, someone held me down and wouldn’t let me go to the attacker and get the sign back. Two people were involved, although I can’t be 100 percent sure the second one didn’t think he was doing something to prevent further violence.”

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis at the “Bring Them Home” demonstration

Lewis, who moved to Britain two decades ago, said he could clearly remember the first attacker draped in an Israeli flag and wearing a kippah.

He said he was later led away from the demonstration by a guard and believed he saw his attacker, who apparently wanted to rejoin the protest.

On Monday, Lewis, who said he was in pain and had a headache as a result of the incident, made a statement to the Metropolitan Police, who confirmed they had begun investigating the incident.

He had previously helped organise the Defend Israel Democracy protests with a group of expats that took place in London and elsewhere before the October 7 terrorist attacks.

When asked what his message was to the organizers of the Bring The Home protest, Lewis said everyone should not “believe the lies of the Israeli government that we will turn over every stone to find them with military pressure. To me that just means finding bodies.”

Lewis said: “There is only one way to get them out and that is through an agreement.”

He rejected the claim that those taking part in the protests in Britain should not directly criticise the Israeli government, saying: “I have joined the protests against Iran, China and Saudi Arabia.”

“I believe people have that right. You can’t stop them from wanting to make the world a better place.”

Referring to Sunday’s protest, he added: “I believe I have an even greater right and responsibility because I was part of what I am not happy with now.”

“I was part of the occupation, I was in the Israeli army in Lebanon. I saw terrible things. I feel very responsible for what we do.”

He added: “I think it is important to stress that in Israel the idea that Netanyahu does not care about the hostages is, to say the least, widespread.

“Most Israelis believe Netanyahu is trying to prolong the war.”

Lewis expressed concern that some British Jews “only wanted to hear what they wanted” because they wanted to remain loyal to Israel.

Jewish News has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment.