Police arrest man dressed as grim reaper during Nakba Day protest in London — Sunday 17 May 2026In the streets of London, a Nakba Day demonstration marking the 1948 displacement of Palestinians drew police attention when officers arrested a protester dressed as the Grim Reaper. The man, who repeatedly offered to remove his mask in compliance, was detained under the Public Order Act as footage captured his evident surprise at the swift action. Such scenes unfold against the backdrop of heightened sensitivities in Britain over events tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which continue to stir strong emotions from Beirut to Baghdad. Out of 43 arrests across London protests that Saturday, twelve were connected to the Nakba gathering, involving alleged breaches of conditions and face-covering rules. In contrast, the parallel Unite the Kingdom march produced charges ranging from public disorder to possession of an offensive weapon. For observers in the Middle East, these distinctions suggest uneven application of laws that often target expressions of solidarity with Palestinians more readily than other demonstrations. The incident reflects wider pressures on diaspora communities voicing concern over Gaza and the occupied territories. As regional audiences follow developments through local lenses, questions arise about how Western governments balance security claims with the right to mourn historical losses that remain central to Arab identity and politics.Watch the full video from Middle East Eye below.