Thousands of pro-Palestine supporters flooded the streets of central London on Saturday in a powerful demonstration against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The protest, organised by the Palestine Coalition, which includes groups such as the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and Stop The War, began at 1pm near Green Park station in Piccadilly before making its way to Whitehall for a rally.
The demonstration comes amid growing international outrage over Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in thousands of Palestinian civilian deaths and widespread destruction.
Protesters held banners and signs with messages like “Stop arming Israel” and “Open your eyes Keir, see what Israel is doing,” directly criticising UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his support of Israel.
Tensions in Gaza escalated following Israel’s military campaign, which began after the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. In response, Israel launched relentless airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza, killing thousands of civilians and displacing millions.
The Israeli blockade has also cut off essential supplies, pushing Gaza’s population to the brink of starvation.
The UK government’s continued arms sales to Israel and its refusal to call for an immediate ceasefire have sparked widespread anger among pro-Palestine activists.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign and other human rights groups have been leading weekly protests across the country, demanding the UK stop funding Israel’s war crimes and impose sanctions.
As thousands marched through the streets, a smaller counter-protest organised by the right-wing group “Stop The Hate” gathered near Piccadilly Circus.
Police set up barriers to keep the two groups apart and imposed restrictions under the Public Order Act, limiting the pro-Palestine protest’s starting time and route.
The Metropolitan Police have faced criticism for their heavy-handed approach to pro-Palestine demonstrations in recent months, with campaigners accusing them of silencing voices calling for justice in Gaza.
However, the police defended their actions, claiming the measures were necessary to prevent clashes between opposing groups.
This latest protest is part of a wave of mass demonstrations that have swept across London and other UK cities since the war on Gaza began.
The pro-Palestine movement has gained significant momentum, with trade unions, student groups, and community activists joining the call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israeli occupation.
In recent months, pressure on the Labour Party has intensified, with many of its members demanding that Keir Starmer take a stronger stance against Israel’s actions. However, Starmer has so far refused to back a ceasefire, instead calling for “humanitarian pauses” – a position that has been widely criticised by human rights organisations.
As the protest reached Whitehall, speakers addressed the crowd, condemning Israel’s war crimes and the UK’s complicity in the genocide of Palestinians. Activists vowed to continue mobilising until the UK government ends arms sales to Israel and recognises Palestinian statehood.
“This is not just about Gaza,” said one speaker from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. “This is about ending decades of occupation, apartheid and ethnic cleansing. We will not stop marching until Palestine is free.”
With global support for Palestine growing and Israel facing accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, the UK government is under increasing pressure to change its stance. However, with Keir Starmer standing firmly by Israel, the pro-Palestine movement shows no signs of backing down.
