Thousands of protesters gathered in central London on Saturday in a major show of solidarity with Palestine, with organisers estimating over 180,000 people attended. The demonstration, which blocked traffic near Victoria Embankment before marching to Hyde Park, is believed to be one of the largest pro-Palestine protests in British history.
Speeches were delivered by Labour MPs, anti-war campaigners, and trade union members. Former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell addressed the crowd, saying: 'Yes, a ceasefire has been negotiated and we welcome a ceasefire. But let’s be clear, there will be no ceasefire in our campaign to boycott, disinvest and sanction the Israeli apartheid state.'
Protesters carried banners reading 'Free Palestine' and 'stop the war', calling for an urgent resolution to the conflict. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), which organised the event, demanded the UK government impose sanctions on Israel, stating: 'The UK government must take immediate action and stop allowing Israel to act with impunity.'
Similar protests took place in other UK cities, including Bristol, Peterborough, Nottingham, and Manchester, as well as internationally in Paris and Dublin. The demonstrations proceeded despite a ceasefire announced on Friday following an 11-day Israeli bombing campaign that killed over 230 people and Palestinian rocket attacks that killed 12 in Israel.
