Overview
- The 12-foot bronze in Westminster was sprayed before dawn with red paint reading "Zionist war criminal," "Free Palestine," "Stop the genocide," "Never again is now" and "Globalise the intifada."
- Metropolitan Police said officers arrived within two minutes after 4 a.m. and detained a 38-year-old on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage, and he remains in custody.
- Dutch group Free the Filton 24 posted footage claiming the action, and an individual identifying as Olax Outis said he was the person seen defacing the statue.
- City officials condemned the vandalism as crews cordoned the site and began cleaning; Downing Street called the act "completely abhorrent" and said the perpetrator must be held to account.
- Police previously warned that using the phrase "globalise the intifada" could prompt arrest, and the frequently targeted statue now carries enhanced protections under recent measures.