Almost 10,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London yesterday, as police deployed officers to oversee it alongside an opposing demonstration.
The National March for Palestine, organised by the Palestine Coalition, comes three days after the third anniversary of October 7, 2023.
The march began near the Embankment and proceeded towards Whitehall, in the heart of the British capital.
A separate counter-demonstration organised by Stop the Hate began at about 11am outside New Scotland Yard, near the route of the larger march.
Police imposed conditions on the gatherings, saying the restrictions were intended to reduce the risk of serious disruption to local communities. Officers also warned participants that refusing to remove face coverings when required could lead to arrest and said hate crime would not be tolerated.
The demonstrations followed confrontations and multiple arrests at rallies in central London marking the October 7 anniversary earlier in the week.
A significant police presence was deployed to manage the crowds and maintain separation between the two groups.
Pro-Palestine demonstrations have been a recurring feature of public protest in London for decades, with large rallies drawing crowds in response to major escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The demonstrations have called for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, a ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian access and Palestinian statehood.
Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023, London has witnessed some of its largest pro-Palestine demonstrations in years. Organised by coalitions of campaign groups, trade unions and civil society organisations, the marches have repeatedly brought large crowds into central London, often passing government buildings and ending near Parliament or Whitehall.
One of the largest demonstrations in the recent wave took place on November 11, 2023, when the Metropolitan Police estimated that approximately 300,000 people marched through London, while organisers put the turnout considerably higher. The rally coincided with Armistice Day commemorations and prompted political debate over the timing of the demonstration.
Israeli strikes killed at least five Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in two separate attacks yesterday, health officials said.
Medics said an Israeli strike killed four people near Panda Mall in Gaza City, while another killed one person in the Tuffah neighbourhood further south of the city.
The Israeli military said the two strikes targeted militants, without giving further information.
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