Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London on Sunday, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The presentation comes amid heightened scrutiny of protest laws following recent demonstrations and a terror attack in Manchester, and as the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate.
The march, organized several months into the Israeli military campaign launched in response to the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, reflects ongoing international concern over the rising Palestinian death toll and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The UK government is considering further restrictions on protest laws, including potential measures targeting chants used at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, following calls from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer to address perceived extremism.
A small counter-protest, organized by a group calling itself Stop the Hate, also took place near the march. Participants waved Israeli flags alongside Union Jacks and St George’s flags.
Sir Keir Starmer has stated a desire to “go further” than previously announced measures granting police broader powers to restrict repeat protests. He previously called for postponing demonstrations after the terror attack at a synagogue in Manchester last week, which resulted in two deaths, urging demonstrators to “respect the grief of British Jews.”
Last week saw demonstrations in support of the Palestine Action group proceed despite calls for cancellation,leading to nearly 500 arrests in central London. Police arrested 488 individuals for allegedly supporting a proscribed organization, ranging in age from 18 to 89, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.As then, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 18,000 children.
