Hundreds of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London on Saturday, demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The protest came a day after a hostage exchange and during a four-day temporary halt to hostilities.
Protesters, young and old, chanted for a ceasefire as they walked from Park Lane to Whitehall, many carrying Palestinian flags, wearing keffiyehs, and holding signs reading “Free Palestine” and olive branches. Organisers said the temporary truce showed a permanent ceasefire was achievable.
Ben Jamal, director of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, welcomed the return of Israeli and Palestinian women and children from detention but warned: “Without a permanent ceasefire, the message to Palestinians in Gaza is you have a temporary stay of execution.”
More than 13,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s offensive began after the 7 October Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 in southern Israel. While diplomats hope to extend the four-day truce, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military is preparing to resume hostilities.
Metropolitan Police deployed 1,500 officers and handed out flyers warning against racist language and celebrating terrorism. One protester was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after carrying a placard with Nazi symbols. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “The Met supports the right to protest lawfully, but the law prohibits racist abuse and promotion of terrorism.”
Among the crowd, demonstrators expressed frustration with the UK government’s stance. Alaïa, 29, said the temporary ceasefire felt like “giving someone water for a day just to kill them four days after”. Roger King, 67, who travelled from Birmingham, called the government’s response “disgusting”.
