Thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters gathered for a rally in central London, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). This demonstration follows a series of UK-wide protests

since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began. The event coincided with news of a ceasefire and hostage release deal between the two sides.

Police response and arrests

The Metropolitan Police reported eight arrests at the rally. These included one individual suspected of holding a placard supporting banned organizations and four for public order offenses. Police enforced restrictions, barring demonstrators from marching from Portland Place, near the BBC headquarters, to avoid potential disruptions close to a nearby synagogue on the Jewish holy day.

A group of protesters attempted to march from Whitehall but were stopped at Trafalgar Square. Police cordoned off the area with vans and officers, urging demonstrators to disperse. Around 20 to 30 individuals who remained in defiance were arrested or detained.

Pro-Israel counterprotests and regional demonstrations

A smaller counterprotest by pro-Israel supporters occurred near Whitehall. Meanwhile, similar pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place in Belfast and Londonderry, reflecting widespread interest across the UK.

PSC and public reactions

The PSC welcomed the ceasefire but expressed skepticism about its durability, hinting at the potential for future protests. Signs and banners at the rally displayed messages like "Stop the massacre in Gaza" and "Stop arming Israel." Other slogans criticized media coverage, accusing outlets like the BBC of bias.

Police restrictions on the rally were met with criticism from the PSC, which labeled them as "repressive." In contrast, the Campaign Against Antisemitism voiced concern about threats to synagogues, urging authorities to maintain limits on such marches to protect Jewish communities.

Background on the conflict

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Israel's subsequent military response has resulted in the deaths of over 46,700 individuals in Gaza, most of whom were civilians, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

The ceasefire agreement has sparked cautious optimism but has not fully eased tensions, as the conflict's broader implications remain unresolved. Photo by Julian Stallabrass from London, UK, Wikimedia commons.