These menacing officers, masked and armed, sent a message to any potential threat that the Met is not to be messed with during the Israeli Prime Minister’s visit to London today.
With automatic weapons, bullet-proof vests, helmets, masks and sunglasses, they guarded Benjamin Netanyahu from potential terror attacks in the capital as he discussed cooperation with the UK in turbulent times.
The intimidating officers are believed to have been carrying Heckler and Koch G36 assault rifles, which are capable of shooting 750 rounds per minute and were used by German forces in Afghanistan.
Riding in a fleet of blacked out Land Rovers, they joined a huge entourage of security for the controversial political figure, who has been previously been criticised over Israel’s ongoing violent feud with neighbouring Palestine.
THE ASSAULT RIFLES USED BY THE MET POLICE’S SPECIAL FIREARMS UNIT
The most prominently used gun in the Met Police is the Heckler and Koch G36 assault rifle, previously used by German forces while fighting in Afghanistan.
The gun is capable of shooting 700 rounds per minute and has a firing range of 800 metres, with the main gun made from steel and various lightweight attachments including a carbon fibre magazine.
It’s an extremely versatile weapon and can be fitted with a telescopic sight, a bayonet and even a grenade launcher.
The lightweight gun was used by various authorities in the Kosovo, Iraq, the 2011 civil war in Libya and the Mexican Drug War, from 2006.
It’s used by soldiers and police forces all over the world, by countries including the United States, Canada, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Thailand.
The Israeli Prime Minister sought Britain’s cooperation to ‘turn back the tide of militant Islam’ as he met Prime Minister David Cameron in London, while the ongoing threat from Islamic State impacts both nations.
‘The Middle East is disintegrating under the twin forces of militant Islam: The militant Sunnis led by ISIS and the militant Shiites led by Iran,’ said Netanyahu as he began talks with Cameron at Downing Street.
‘And I believe that we can cooperate in practical ways to roll back the tide of militant Islam both in the Middle East and in Africa altogether.’
ISIS has seized huge swathes of Iraq and Syria and Israel is now under sever threat from various Islamic nations and terrorist groups operating in states it shares a border with.
Three things were on the agenda at the talks, according to Netanyahu: security, peace and technology.
However, the tense situation between Israel and Palestine
The Israeli leader said he was willing to ‘immediately’ resume negotiations with the Palestinians, ‘with no conditions whatsoever’.
He also indicated he wanted increased cooperation with Britain on cyber-security, adding, ‘if we pull our resources together we can offer a better future and great prosperity.’
Netanyahu’s visit was preceded by clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters outside Downing Street on Wednesday.
Police intervened to break up the scuffles as around 500 protesters gathered, waving placards and flags.
More than 108,000 people have signed a petition urging Netanyahu’s arrest for war crimes, enough for the issue to be considered for debate in Britain’s parliament.
Israel’s embassy in London called it a ‘meaningless publicity stunt’.
Britain is pushing for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and ‘will reinforce this message to Mr Netanyahu during his visit,’ according to an official response to the petition.
As he touched down Thursday in the British capital, Netanyahu turned his attention to the Iran nuclear deal agreed with western powers in July.
‘All responsible countries must cooperate in order to stop Iran’s terrorism and aggression which, to my regret, will only increase as a result of the agreement,’ Netanyahu said.
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