London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Thousands joined a pro-Palestine rally in London for the Gaza war’s 2nd anniversary, as police managed counter-protests and kept order.
Pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered in central London to mark two years since the Gaza war, after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Protests and police intervene during the march
Demonstrators at Victoria Embankment on Saturday handed out placards reading “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, “it’s not a crime to act against genocide,” and “Starmer has blood on his hands, free Palestine.”
The protest had keffiyeh stalls and placards, with a march to Whitehall planned.
At Aldwych and the Strand, Stop The Hate held a counter-protest, with authorities acting to prevent clashes with pro-Palestine demonstrators.
Before the march began, police removed several people holding placards reading “we stand with Britain’s Jews” from the pro-Palestine gathering.
Protesters displayed a sign featuring a bee inside the Star of David, reading, “It was never about Palestine, it was always about hate.”
Pro-Palestine protesters chanted “shame” and “free Palestine” as police guided them away. The march happened as many Palestinians returned home in Gaza, with nearly 150,000 people taking part.
Authorities’ response to protests
Scotland Yard has outlined protest zones and march routes to minimize disruption during demonstrations under the Public Order Act.
Palestine Solidarity Campaign reports this pro-Palestinian march marks the 32nd national demonstration since October 2023.
The Government confirmed that police will gain more powers to limit protests, considering the “cumulative effect” of repeated demonstrations.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that ongoing large-scale protests are causing “considerable fear” within the Jewish community.
The Metropolitan Police said it is aware of the planned protests but stressed that “the law remains unchanged at this time.”
Following the October 2 Manchester synagogue attack that killed two, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged protesters to “respect the grief of British Jews.”
Chants of “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” echoed along Westminster, a slogan Mr Starmer warned could face government restrictions. The slogan is labeled antisemitic, said to call for Israel’s eradication, while supporters claim it calls for peace in Gaza and the West Bank.
The protests took place as many Palestinians returned to their homes in Gaza following the Israeli forces’ withdrawal.
The two-year Middle East conflict paused after Hamas agreed to release the remaining hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
Jeremy Corbyn’s presence at the pro-Palestine march
The co-founder of Your Party, Jeremy Corbyn, led the crowd on Westminster Bridge. He carried a banner reading “National march, Free Palestine,” guiding the protesters.
Mr Corbyn did not speak as a woman using a megaphone led chants of “from the rivers to the sea” and “Keir Starmer, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.”
He was seen chanting, “Palestine will be free,” after a woman shouted, “Netanyahu, you will see.”
Ben Jamal’s stance on ending the occupation and achieving freedom
Ben Jamal, director of PSC, said the group will “never stop” backing Palestinians to “achieve a free Palestine.”
Regarding this week’s protest, he stated,
“This is a movement supported by millions of people in this country and around the world who want freedom and justice for Palestine.”
Mr Jamal said,
“That work will go on. Because we know Israel is capable of breaking the ceasefire at any time, as it has done on every previous occasion. And we know this ceasefire based on (US President Donald) Trump’s plan, does nothing to address the root causes of Israeli occupation and colonisation of Palestine, and its system of apartheid against Palestinians. It also does nothing to hold those responsible for genocide to account.”
He added, “The rights of the Palestinian people are enshrined under international law – they are inviolable and non-negotiable. They will never give up those rights, and we will never stop supporting them to achieve a free Palestine.”
Sadiq Khan’s views on the “from the river to the sea” slogan
Susan Hall, the leader of the City Hall Conservatives, stated,
“Do you think to scream ‘From the river to the sea’, which they’re doing during these hate marches, is appropriate? Do you think it is anti-Semitic?”
London’s mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, responded,
“I don’t think it is anti-Semitic and I think it’s all about context. Some slogans can be anti-Semitic, but it’s all about context. And in certain contexts, yes, those slogans are anti-Semitic. In other contexts, they’re not.”