The protest in London, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and other groups, was one of many held across the world to denounce the Israeli regime’s brutal military aggression on the Gaza Strip.
The protesters marched from Hyde Park to Downing Street, the official residence and office of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, chanting “Free Palestine” and waving Palestinian flags and banners.
According to London Police estimates, some 100,000 individuals took part in the event.
Protestor also called on the British government to take action to stop Israel’s violations of international law and human rights.
Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said the protest was aimed at sending a clear message to Israel and the world: “We want the violence to end. We’re calling for an immediate ceasefire and for necessary humanitarian supplies to be safely delivered to the people of Gaza.”
He added that the violence would not stop “until you address the root cause”, which he identified as Israel’s decades-long military occupation.
The protests were sparked by the latest Israeli aggression on Gaza following Palestinian resistance forces’ surprise attack against the occupying entity on October 7. The regime has since continued pounding the besieged Gaza Strip with thousands of bombs, killing at least 4,300 people, mostly women and children.
Other cities in UK
Similar protests were also held in other cities in the UK, such as Belfast, Londonderry and Dublin, where speakers condemned Israel’s assault on Gaza and expressed support for the Palestinian resistance.
In Londonderry, lawmaker Colum Eastwood of the Irish nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party said: “The murder of children is wrong. I don’t know how that is so difficult for some of our world leaders to actually utter. It doesn’t matter whether they are Israeli children or Palestinian children.”
France
In France, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in several cities including Rennes, Montpellier, Dijon and Lyon, where they chanted “we all are Palestinians” and demanded an end to Israel’s blockade and airstrikes.
In Marseille, despite a police ban, some people also marched with Palestinian flags and slogans such as “Free Gaza”.
A pro-Palestinian rally scheduled for Sunday in Paris has been authorised by the police.
Germany
In Germany, almost 7,000 people joined a peaceful pro-Palestinian demonstration in Düsseldorf on Saturday, carrying Palestinian flags or signs calling for an end to “violence and aggression in Gaza”.
However, police in Berlin banned a similar protest planned for Sunday in the city centre, citing the risk of violence and antisemitic hate speech.
Police have stopped several pro-Palestinian events in recent weeks for the same reasons. Some protesters have defied the bans and clashed with the police.
On the other hand, a pro-Israel demonstration expected to attract thousands of people on Sunday in central Berlin has been allowed by the authorities.
Italy
In Italy, hundreds of people walked through Rome on Saturday, holding signs saying “Palestine, Rome is with you” and “No peace until we get freedom”.
Maya Issa, president of the Movement of Palestinian Students in Italy, which organised the march, said: “Israel carries out war crimes there, crimes against humanity there, and the international community has never acted.”
Spain
In Spain, tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of downtown Barcelona on Saturday, waving Palestinian flags and shouting “Stop bombing Gaza”.
They also called for a boycott of Israeli products and sanctions against Israel.
Source: Iqna
