British actor, Khalid Abdalla, has been summoned for questioning by the Metropolitan Police regarding his involvement in a pro-Palestinian protest in January.
Best known for portraying Dodi Fayed in ‘The Crown’, Abdalla shared on Instagram that he received a letter from police on Thursday. He noted that others, including 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos, have also been called in for questioning.
The inquiry concerns the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) protest held in Whitehall on 18 January. Abdalla, who also starred in the 2024 thriller ‘The Day of the Jackal’, stated that it remains unclear whether he or the others will face charges.
“I’ve expressed my feelings on the experience of that day in previous posts online. The right to protest is under attack in this country and it requires us all to defend it,” he wrote.
While there is an alarming rise in attempts to censor voices that stand up for Palestine, even as it faces open calls for ethnic cleansing, it will not work. The days of silence and intimidation are gone.
He added: “Let us be the change we want to see in the world, and make it happen. Let our solidarity be in flow. I will not be making further comments on the 18th January protest for legal reasons.”
Abdalla has been a vocal advocate for Gaza, calling for a permanent ceasefire and criticising Western military support for Israel. He previously signed an open letter from Artists for Palestine UK to the BBC after it removed a documentary from its platforms.
Born in the UK to Egyptian parents, the actor has attended multiple pro-Palestinian demonstrations and used social media to urge Western nations to “stop arming Israel”.
Among those summoned over the protest are former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell, both of whom have already been questioned.
Police have so far charged 21 individuals in connection with the demonstration.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “As part of our ongoing investigation into alleged breaches of Public Order Act conditions on Saturday, January 18, we have invited a further eight people to be interviewed under caution at a police station.”
“While we are aware of names being attributed to those who have been invited for interview, we do not confirm the identity of anyone under investigation.”
READ: 500 programme-makers condemn censorship, racism after BBC pulls Gaza documentary
The18 January rally, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and its coalition partners, saw thousands gather in Whitehall after police blocked plans for a march from Portland Place, near the headquarters of the BBC.
Officers had imposed conditions under the Public Order Act restricting the protest to Whitehall, citing concerns over a potential “serious disruption” near a synagogue.
Police said a group of protesters broke through a police line to reach Trafalgar Square, where officers stopped them.
The Metropolitan Police posted a photo on social media showing a group that it said have forced its way through the police line being held at the northwest corner of Trafalgar Square.
Activists and video footage from the date refute the claims, showing police ushering protesters through in an orderly fashion.
The police has mislead the public about events in Whitehall and Trafalgar Square, claiming the Palestine coalition attempted to push through police lines. Our footage shows the truth. WATCH ⬇️(1/6) pic.twitter.com/c9QlijL788
— Palestine Solidarity Campaign (@PSCupdates) January 19, 2025