Pro-Palestine demonstrators brought disruption to a high-profile Royal Air Force (RAF) event in central London, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to UK arms sales to Israel. The protest, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), saw activists gather outside the RAF's annual Air and Space Power Conference near Westminster.
Activists Target UK-Israel Military Ties
The protesters accused the British government of complicity in what they describe as Israel's "genocidal assault" on Gaza, highlighting the UK's continued supply of arms to Israel. Chants of "Stop arming Israel" and "Free Palestine" echoed through the streets as activists held banners reading "RAF: Complicit in Genocide".
Growing Pressure on UK Government
The demonstration comes amid increasing public pressure on the UK government to reconsider its military relationship with Israel. Recent opinion polls show growing public support for an arms embargo against Israel, with opposition parties also calling for stricter controls on defence exports.
Police maintained a visible presence throughout the protest, which remained peaceful despite the strong emotions on display. Organisers claimed the action successfully disrupted the conference, forcing attendees to navigate through crowds of protesters.
RAF Responds to Demonstrations
An RAF spokesperson acknowledged the protest but stated the conference would proceed as planned. "We respect the right to peaceful protest while continuing our important work on air and space power development," the spokesperson said.
The protest marks the latest in a series of actions by pro-Palestine groups across the UK, with similar demonstrations occurring outside arms factories and government buildings in recent weeks.
