LONDON: Thousands of protesters marched in central London on Saturday to call for a ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip amid ongoing bombardments by Israel since October 7 last year.
The march, from Hyde Park Corner to the US Embassy, marked the fifth major demonstration of the year in the capital, with protesters expressing solidarity with Palestinians and calling for an end to Israel’s military actions.
Organizer Ben Jamal emphasized the commitment to continue protesting until a ceasefire is achieved and until the UK ceases its complicity with Israel’s oppression of the Palestinian people.
Pro-Palestinian Rallies in UK
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called for tougher police action against pro-Palestinian protesters, stating that the events have descended into intimidation and planned acts of violence.
Counter-protest organizer Itai Galmudy expressed concerns over the impact of pro-Palestine demonstrations on Jewish communities, stating that they have created “no-go zones” and fueled anti-Israeli sentiments in the capital.
London’s Metropolitan Police have also criticized the protests, citing the significant cost of policing such events, which has reached £32.3 million ($41 million) since October 7.
The Balfour Declaration, issued in 1917, supported the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, leading to the eventual creation of Israel in 1948. However, it also resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and ongoing conflict in the region.
Since October 7, the violence in Gaza has led to the deaths of at least 30,717 Palestinians, with concerns over the humanitarian situation and calls for an immediate ceasefire echoing worldwide.
