Watch: London Marathon chaos averted - Activists throw red paint in Anti-Israel stunt

Two anti-Israel activists were arrested on Sunday after attempting to disrupt the London Marathon by throwing red powder paint on Tower Bridge. According to the BBC, Willow Holland, 18, from Bristol, and Cristy North from Nottingham, both associated with the fringe group "Youth Demand," jumped over the barriers around 10:35 a.m. during the marathon. Wearing t-shirts reading "Youth Demand: Stop Arming Israel," the two hurled red powder across the course as elite runners approached.

Marathon security responded immediately, with a quick-thinking official jumping off his motorcycle to tackle the protesters before they could cause further disruption. Metropolitan Police officers soon arrived on the scene and took both individuals into custody.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police confirmed: “Marathon event staff intervened to remove the protesters from the path of the elite race which was able to pass unobstructed. The paint appears to be chalk-based and is not expected to present a hazard to runners yet to pass this point.”

Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, condemned the incident, stating: “It’s very disappointing that two people attempted to disrupt the London Marathon which does so much good, raises so many millions for charity, brings so much joy and brings communities together.”

Following the arrests, Youth Demand released inflammatory statements from both Holland and North, repeating anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric. Holland’s statement read: “I am taking action with Youth Demand because I have run out of other options: thousands are being killed in Gaza, our Government is making no effort to stop it and no other course of action, marches or rallies, has worked. I refuse to be complicit in a genocide funded by our politicians.”

Similarly, North claimed: “I’m taking action today at the London marathon because the people in Palestine are running out of time. We have tried all other avenues to get the Government to stop arming Israel and yet our Government is still enabling a genocide.”

Fortunately, the protest did not significantly impact the event, which celebrated a record 56,000 runners participating in the marathon’s 45th edition. Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe secured victory over four-time champion Eliud Kipchoge in the men's race, while Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa broke the women-only world record, ensuring that the day’s athletic achievements remained in the spotlight despite the attempted disruption.