Thousands of anti-Israel protesters marched through London on saturday, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and arguing that halting hostilities alone is insufficient to address the ongoing conflict and its root causes. The demonstration,organized by the Stop the War Coalition and the Palestine Solidarity campaign,drew an estimated 100,000 participants,according to organizers,though police did not provide an official crowd count.
The march underscores growing international pressure on Israel to end its military operations in Gaza, initiated following the October 7 Hamas attacks that killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and led to the abduction of over 240 others. While a ceasefire is a primary demand, protesters voiced concerns about long-term Palestinian rights, the Israeli occupation, and the need for a just and lasting peace. The demonstration reflects a broadening of the protest movement beyond simply calling for an end to the immediate violence, signaling a desire for systemic change.
Protesters carried signs and chanted slogans calling for an immediate ceasefire,an end to the arms trade with Israel,and an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories. Some demonstrators argued that a ceasefire must be accompanied by accountability for alleged war crimes and a commitment to addressing the underlying political and economic issues fueling the conflict.
“A ceasefire is the bare minimum,” said Ben Jamal,general secretary of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign,addressing the crowd. “But it must be a ceasefire that is part of a process that leads to justice for the Palestinian people.”
The march proceeded from Hyde Park to the Israeli embassy,with a notable police presence along the route. Several arrests were made for public order offenses, according to the Metropolitan Police. The demonstration took place as international efforts to negotiate a ceasefire continue, with Qatar, Egypt, and the united States mediating between Israel and Hamas.
