Thousands of Pro-Palestine protesters have begun marching in central London ahead of a rally in Whitehall.
An estimated 10,000 demonstrators, many of whom carrying Palestine flags, chanted ‘From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever’ and ‘Israel is a terrorist state’ as they set off from Green Park.
Protesters carried signs that said ‘Starmer has blood on his hands’ and ‘Stop starving Gaza’, while some voiced disdain against the Defence Secretary saying: ‘John Healey you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide’.
Other protesters have also set off green and red fireworks as they walked down Piccadilly in central London.
The demonstration, organised by the Palestine Coalition, began at around 12.45pm as crowds made their from Hyde Park Corner to Downing Street.
The Met Police imposed restrictions on the protest, ordering people to begin leaving the area at 5pm. One person was arrested for affray, while four others were detained on suspicion of ‘Public Order Act offences’.
A Labour MP told a pro-Palestine protest that ‘a ceasefire in name only is not a ceasefire’.
Clapham and Brixton Hill MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy said ‘the UK must stop enabling violence’.
Addressing demonstrators in Whitehall, Ms Ribeiro-Addy said: ‘We’re here because we know that even as political leaders congratulate themselves on this so-called ceasefire, the genocide in Gaza continues in real time.’
A protester waves a Palestinian flag during a march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in central London on Saturday
People hold placards as they participate in a Pro-Palestine rally in central London
Protesters wave Palestinian flags on Whitehall during a march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Ms Ribeiro-Addy added: ‘A ceasefire in name only is not a ceasefire, it’s a political risk management exercise. It’s designed to protect foreign partners and deflect domestic accountability.
‘What’s happening on the ground is completely incompatible with the language being used in press and parliamentary briefings.
‘The UK’s role hasn’t changed either, you cannot credibly call for peace abroad while enabling violence through policy at home.
‘Britain continues to licence arms exports to Israel. Britain continues to authorise defence collaborations. Britain continues to provide training and military support that enhance operational capabilities of a state that is currently facing credible accusations of genocide under international law.’s.
Today’s rally is being held to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, a UN organised observance taking place annually on November 29 since 1978.
It also coincides with what is expected to be a ‘very busy’ day for tourists in central London, with thousands of visitors expected to descend on the capital to make the most of Black Friday sales and the festive entertainment.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dr Alison Heydari is leading the policing operation this weekend.
She said: ‘Ahead of the weekend we have been in discussion with the Palestine Coalition, as well as partners, residents, businesses, faith and community groups who we know continue to be impacted by protests.
‘We expect this weekend to be very busy with people shopping during the Black Friday sales, and visiting the capital, including Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
‘We have worked with organisers to seek to minimise disruption and balance the right to protest.
‘Officers will be visible along the protest route and around the wider area to ensure the events take place safely.’
The demonstrators in the capital coincide with a series of mass arrests elsewhere, as police crack down on protests linked to support for proscribed groups.
West Midlands Police confirmed that 25 people were detained under the Terrorism Act in Birmingham after officers spotted placards expressing support for Palestine Action at a Defend Our Juries rally in Chamberlain Square.
The force said those arrested were taken into custody under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which makes it an offence to belong to, or publicly support, a banned organisation. Palestine Action was proscribed by the Government in July.
Thousands of Pro-Palestine protesters march in central London ahead of a rally in Whitehall
People hold placards and wave Palestinian flags as they participate in a rally in support of the Palestinian people
Police officers in central London, as people take part in the National Demonstration for Palestine
A proterster holding a placard saying ‘Still genocide only slower’ in central London
People holding banners and placards, gather for a national march organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Demonstrators holding a banner calling for support to their hungerstrike as they walk through Oxford Circus
Protesters called for ‘an end to the occupation and a halt to arms sales to Israel’
Chief Inspector James Littlehales said: ‘We fully recognise people’s right to demonstrate peacefully… But we will take appropriate action where people are breaching the law by showing support for proscribed organisations.’
Defend Our Juries staged coordinated demonstrations in 10 towns and cities to protest ‘against our Government’s complicity in genocide and against the ban on Palestine Action’.
In Norwich, ten more people were arrested on suspicion of terror offences after allegedly displaying Palestine Action material. They remain in custody at Wymondham Police Investigation Centre.
Superintendent Terry Lordan said: ‘Today, this involved arresting individuals who were committing offences under the Terrorism Act. The actions of this group were unlawful and officers have used their powers accordingly.’
Meanwhile, in London, an estimated 100,000 people joined a march organised by the Palestine Coalition. The Met Police confirmed one arrest for affray, while four others were detained over suspected Public Order Act offences.
Marchers, many waving Palestinian flags, chanted slogans including ‘From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever’ as they moved from Green Park to Whitehall, setting off green and red fireworks along Piccadilly.
Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy told crowds: ‘We’re here because we know that even as political leaders congratulate themselves on this so-called ceasefire, the genocide in Gaza continues in real time.’
Poplar and Limehouse MP Apsana Begum said demonstrators would not stop marching until there was a ‘free and independent Palestine’.
