Pro-Palestine demonstrators promise to march for 'as long as it takes'
As the eighth march calling for a ceasefire in Gaza takes place, support isn't waning on London's streets.
Ivor Bennett
News correspondent @IvorBennett
Saturday 3 February 2024
The pro-Palestine march in central London on Saturday Pic: PASome might have thought that support for these marches would have waned by now.
They've been going for nearly four months and this is the eighth one.
But on today's evidence, those perceptions would be very wide of the mark.
For 25 minutes, we watched as a continuous crowd passed us on Regent Street.
We started our clock when the front of the line set off and they were going at quite a pace.
But even after that much time, we still couldn't see the finish - just a seemingly endless sea of Palestinian flags fluttering overhead.
This time, the demonstrators began outside BBC HQ before ending on Whitehall, where some were shouting "shame on you" outside the gates of Downing Street.
Protesters outside Downing StreetAmong them was Kevin, from London, who told me he's been to every single one of these marches.
"I'm here to uphold international law," he said.
"Somebody has to stand up and say we've had enough. We need to stop this genocide now."
But are the marches having any impact? There's no sign of any policy change. Protesters' demands for a ceasefire still aren't being echoed.
"I think behind the scenes the government is already softening its stance. It has to because there's elections coming up," Kevin said.
Police said afterwards that they made a "small number of arrests" - two for public order, one for obstructing officers and another for setting off a smoke bomb/flare. The anger here wasn't only aimed at Rishi Sunak and his government.
I meet Lesley and Gill, who have travelled from Devon to attend. On Gill's forehead is a sticker with the words "Just Stop Starmer".
"He's the opposition but he just agrees with everything the government says and does," says Gill.
PA
In contrast with the constant flux of the situation in the Middle East - the US airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets the latest example - protesters' demands have remained the same, ever since the first of these marches in October.
Ending the war in Gaza, in their view, ends the wider regional conflict.
No surprise then how America's latest salvo is going down. "Unnecessary", "extraordinary" and "appalling" were just some of the words used to describe it.
0:30
According to Gill, the response was "disproportionate" because there's a "madman" in the White House.
"What is he doing?" she asks.
"There are Americans being killed in Gaza and they've done absolutely nothing about that so they're a bit selective about their retaliation."
Read more: What we know about the sites targeted in US strikes
Speaking of retaliation, there are plenty here who believe the issue will come back to bite when the US and UK go to the polls.
Five-time marcher Joseph is certain the war in Israel will be an "electoral issue" here in Britain.
"It's deeply embarrassing for the government and the opposition because their positions are pretty much untenable," he says.
And how much longer will the marches last? "As long as it takes."
In contrast with the constant flux of the situation in the Middle East - the US airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets the latest example - protesters' demands have remained the same, ever since the first of these marches in October.
Ending the war in Gaza, in their view, ends the wider regional conflict.
No surprise then how America's latest salvo is going down. "Unnecessary", "extraordinary" and "appalling" were just some of the words used to describe it.
0:30
According to Gill, the response was "disproportionate" because there's a "madman" in the White House.
"What is he doing?" she asks.
"There are Americans being killed in Gaza and they've done absolutely nothing about that so they're a bit selective about their retaliation."
Read more: What we know about the sites targeted in US strikes
Speaking of retaliation, there are plenty here who believe the issue will come back to bite when the US and UK go to the polls.
Five-time marcher Joseph is certain the war in Israel will be an "electoral issue" here in Britain.
"It's deeply embarrassing for the government and the opposition because their positions are pretty much untenable," he says.
And how much longer will the marches last? "As long as it takes."
In pictures: Thousands rally in London for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
In solidarity with Palestinians, thousands of people in London chanted slogans calling for an end to Israeli attacks on Gaza, while criticising the British government for its support of Israel.
In solidarity with Palestinians, thousands of people gathered in front of the BBC in Portland Place and later held a march toward the Prime Minister's Office in Whitehall. / Photo: AA
Protesters have staged a massive rally in London to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza where more than 27,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7.
In solidarity with Palestinians, thousands of people gathered in front of the BBC in Portland Place and later held a march toward the Prime Minister's Office in Whitehall on Saturday.
Carrying Palestinian flags, the crowd chanted slogans, calling for an end to Israeli attacks on Gaza, while criticising the British government for its support to Israel.
Some of the protesters were also seen carrying "Hands off Yemen" signs, in protest to recent strikes by the US and the UK against Houthi groups in Yemen.
They also carried various signs, including "Free Palestine," "Stop the genocide," and "I'm a critic not anti-Semitic."
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Hannah, a protester, said that as pro-Palestinians, they feel like it is their "duty" to gather at protests and to represent the Palestinian people and to show them that the world is with them "even though the governments are not."
"If you look around, there is people of all ages, there is people of all ethnicities, people from all walks of life came to stand together," she said.
"And it is our duty to support them and to show them that even though they might feel like they have been forgotten but they have not. We all with them and we have been for years," she added.
Hannah, a protester, said that as pro-Palestinians, they feel like it is their "duty" to gather at protests and to represent the Palestinian people and to show them that the world is with them "even though the governments are not."
The killings of innocent people did not begin on October 7, she said.
"It began way before that," she added.
Israel launched a deadly offensive on Gaza on October 7 that killed at least 27,238 Palestinians and injured 66,452 following a surprise attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.
Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.
The Israeli offensive has left 85 percent of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60 percent of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.
"If you look around, there is people of all ages, there is people of all ethnicities, people from all walks of life came to stand together".
In solidarity with Palestinians, thousands of people in London chanted slogans calling for an end to Israeli attacks on Gaza, while criticising the British government for its support of Israel.
In solidarity with Palestinians, thousands of people gathered in front of the BBC in Portland Place and later held a march toward the Prime Minister's Office in Whitehall. / Photo: AA
Protesters have staged a massive rally in London to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza where more than 27,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7.
In solidarity with Palestinians, thousands of people gathered in front of the BBC in Portland Place and later held a march toward the Prime Minister's Office in Whitehall on Saturday.
Carrying Palestinian flags, the crowd chanted slogans, calling for an end to Israeli attacks on Gaza, while criticising the British government for its support to Israel.
Some of the protesters were also seen carrying "Hands off Yemen" signs, in protest to recent strikes by the US and the UK against Houthi groups in Yemen.
They also carried various signs, including "Free Palestine," "Stop the genocide," and "I'm a critic not anti-Semitic."
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Hannah, a protester, said that as pro-Palestinians, they feel like it is their "duty" to gather at protests and to represent the Palestinian people and to show them that the world is with them "even though the governments are not."
"If you look around, there is people of all ages, there is people of all ethnicities, people from all walks of life came to stand together," she said.
"And it is our duty to support them and to show them that even though they might feel like they have been forgotten but they have not. We all with them and we have been for years," she added.
Hannah, a protester, said that as pro-Palestinians, they feel like it is their "duty" to gather at protests and to represent the Palestinian people and to show them that the world is with them "even though the governments are not."
The killings of innocent people did not begin on October 7, she said.
"It began way before that," she added.
Israel launched a deadly offensive on Gaza on October 7 that killed at least 27,238 Palestinians and injured 66,452 following a surprise attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.
Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.
The Israeli offensive has left 85 percent of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60 percent of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.
"If you look around, there is people of all ages, there is people of all ethnicities, people from all walks of life came to stand together".
Hundreds of thousands protest in the streets of London for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
Hundreds of thousands took to London streets in a massive show of solidarity as the war on Gaza enters its 120th day. The protesters demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as the civilian victims toll surpassed 30,000. The protestors continued to chant for the freedom of the Palestinians and the global solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Hundreds of thousands took to London streets in a massive show of solidarity as the war on Gaza enters its 120th day. The protesters demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as the civilian victims toll surpassed 30,000. The protestors continued to chant for the freedom of the Palestinians and the global solidarity with the Palestinian people.
200,000 on London Palestine march against Israeli genocide
Everyone should build the workplace and student day of action on Wednesday, 7 February
Saturday 03 February 2024
In the week since the International Court of Justice ruled Israel could plausibly be carrying out genocide in Gaza, the Israeli military has killed at least 874 Palestinians.
Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant has officially declared, “Victory will not be complete until the military expands into Rafah.” Rafah is the enclave in south of Gaza where 1 million or more Palestinians are sheltering.
“Most of Gaza’s population is in Rafah,” Emad, a Palestinian, told Reuters News Agency. “If the tanks storm in, we will be left with two choices—stay and die or climb the walls into Egypt. It will be a massacre like never before during this war.” Jens Laerke of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told a briefing in Geneva, “Rafah is a pressure cooker of despair, and we fear for what comes next.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development released a report this week on the social and economic destruction in Gaza since 7 October. It says that if the current military operation were to end immediately with reconstruction starting right away and the 2007-2022 growth trend persists, it would take Gaza until 2092 just to restore the economic production levels of 2022.
Everyone should build the workplace and student day of action on Wednesday, 7 February
Saturday 03 February 2024
By Socialist Worker journalists
Issue 2891
On the Palestine march in London (Picture: PSC)
At least 200,000 people marched for Palestine in London on Saturday, a sign of the continuing mass anger against Israel’s genocidal assault in Gaza. Some speakers at the march rally said it was 250,000.
At the same time around 10,000 people were on the streets in Edinburgh (see below). It was the biggest march in the city since the start of the Israeli assault on Gaza.
In London, Amara, a young Muslim woman from Tower Hamlets, told Socialist Worker, “Israel needs to give Palestine its land back. And those who were forced to leave Palestine have to be allowed back.
“Just like the British Empire was forced to give land back—the Israeli state has to do the same. It’s not theirs to keep.”
Marchers chanted, “Rishi Sunak you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide,” and, “Keir Starmer, you can’t hide, you support a genocide.”
Farah, who lives in London but is from Iraq, said, “I have no words for what Israel is doing except genocide. But I’m not shocked at the response from the West, or Arab leaders. They care about their own interests.”
Safa and Meenal from west London said, “Cutting Unrwa aid funding is unacceptable and the accusations against it are bullshit—respect to Spain for actually upping their funding. The labelling of Houthis as terrorists is ridiculous—the British and US armies are two of the world’s biggest terrorist organisations.
“Police trying to scare people into silence and off the streets won’t work. We know what we’re standing for, everyone protesting today is on the right side of history.”
Sophie from Northampton said, “In Yemen the Houthis are standing up for what’s right, Britain needs to stop bombing them.”
The police were noticeably more aggressive than previously on the demonstration. They had issued a ban on face coverings—a studied insult to Muslim women—in advance. They arrested a protester for this at one point.
And later they pushed into the Socialist Worker Student Society (SWSS) section of the march, seized the lead banner with its slogan, “Victory to the resistance”—but then returned it.
Full coverage of the struggle in Palestine
There were at least 31 trade union banners in the special section of the march, and many others sprinkled throughout the rest of the demonstration.
The workplace and student day of action on Wednesday, 7 February, is now a chance to deepen the movement among workers and students. Pete from King’s College London UCU union branch said, “We need more direct action targeted at the arms industry.”
On 7 February, he said, “We are doing a staff and student lunchtime walkout for Palestine.”
Jane, a teacher, told Socialist Worker that in Cambridge the NEU union “linked up with the Stop the War Coalition and is planning a series of protests. There will be five different protests at schools and a teach-in at the university.
“We have no choice. Our government is not speaking out so we must speak out. We can’t do nothing.”
Dr Ismail Patel is co-founder of Friends of Al Aqsa, one of the march organisers. “Israel is carrying out a genocide in plain sight,” he told the rally. “We will not stop until there’s a free Palestine.”
Leanne Mohammed is a Palestinian who is standing as an independent candidate for Ilford North against right wing Labour MP Wes Streeting. “As we approach the general election, we will not forget,” she said.
“We will remember the names of every MP who chose silence over humanity and failed to vote for a ceasefire. No ceasefire—no vote.”
Alex Gordon, RMT union president, said, “This is the eighth national march for Palestine and this movement is changing the politics of this country. On Tuesday we’re holding a mass rally with other unions.
“Stop The War, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign are calling for actions to be taken in workplaces on Wednesday this week.
“These actions can add to the pressure on the government to call for an immediate ceasefire now.”
Everyone can do something on Wednesday—and the actions need to be as militant and disruptive as possible.Tomorrow, Sun 4 Feb, day school Palestine, imperialism and the struggle for freedom, 11am-4pm, central London. For details and to book go to http://tinyurl.com/Palestine0402
On the Palestine march in London (Picture: PSC)
At least 200,000 people marched for Palestine in London on Saturday, a sign of the continuing mass anger against Israel’s genocidal assault in Gaza. Some speakers at the march rally said it was 250,000.
At the same time around 10,000 people were on the streets in Edinburgh (see below). It was the biggest march in the city since the start of the Israeli assault on Gaza.
In London, Amara, a young Muslim woman from Tower Hamlets, told Socialist Worker, “Israel needs to give Palestine its land back. And those who were forced to leave Palestine have to be allowed back.
“Just like the British Empire was forced to give land back—the Israeli state has to do the same. It’s not theirs to keep.”
Marchers chanted, “Rishi Sunak you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide,” and, “Keir Starmer, you can’t hide, you support a genocide.”
Farah, who lives in London but is from Iraq, said, “I have no words for what Israel is doing except genocide. But I’m not shocked at the response from the West, or Arab leaders. They care about their own interests.”
Safa and Meenal from west London said, “Cutting Unrwa aid funding is unacceptable and the accusations against it are bullshit—respect to Spain for actually upping their funding. The labelling of Houthis as terrorists is ridiculous—the British and US armies are two of the world’s biggest terrorist organisations.
“Police trying to scare people into silence and off the streets won’t work. We know what we’re standing for, everyone protesting today is on the right side of history.”
Sophie from Northampton said, “In Yemen the Houthis are standing up for what’s right, Britain needs to stop bombing them.”
The police were noticeably more aggressive than previously on the demonstration. They had issued a ban on face coverings—a studied insult to Muslim women—in advance. They arrested a protester for this at one point.
And later they pushed into the Socialist Worker Student Society (SWSS) section of the march, seized the lead banner with its slogan, “Victory to the resistance”—but then returned it.
Full coverage of the struggle in Palestine
There were at least 31 trade union banners in the special section of the march, and many others sprinkled throughout the rest of the demonstration.
The workplace and student day of action on Wednesday, 7 February, is now a chance to deepen the movement among workers and students. Pete from King’s College London UCU union branch said, “We need more direct action targeted at the arms industry.”
On 7 February, he said, “We are doing a staff and student lunchtime walkout for Palestine.”
Jane, a teacher, told Socialist Worker that in Cambridge the NEU union “linked up with the Stop the War Coalition and is planning a series of protests. There will be five different protests at schools and a teach-in at the university.
“We have no choice. Our government is not speaking out so we must speak out. We can’t do nothing.”
Dr Ismail Patel is co-founder of Friends of Al Aqsa, one of the march organisers. “Israel is carrying out a genocide in plain sight,” he told the rally. “We will not stop until there’s a free Palestine.”
Leanne Mohammed is a Palestinian who is standing as an independent candidate for Ilford North against right wing Labour MP Wes Streeting. “As we approach the general election, we will not forget,” she said.
“We will remember the names of every MP who chose silence over humanity and failed to vote for a ceasefire. No ceasefire—no vote.”
Alex Gordon, RMT union president, said, “This is the eighth national march for Palestine and this movement is changing the politics of this country. On Tuesday we’re holding a mass rally with other unions.
“Stop The War, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign are calling for actions to be taken in workplaces on Wednesday this week.
“These actions can add to the pressure on the government to call for an immediate ceasefire now.”
Everyone can do something on Wednesday—and the actions need to be as militant and disruptive as possible.Tomorrow, Sun 4 Feb, day school Palestine, imperialism and the struggle for freedom, 11am-4pm, central London. For details and to book go to http://tinyurl.com/Palestine0402
Marches in Edinburgh and Cardiff
Up to 10,000 people joined a demonstration for Palestine in Edinburgh. Hector reports, “It’s the biggest demonstration in Edinburgh since the start of the movement—and the biggest demo in the city since the big Scottish independence marches. It saw the best trade union turnout so far, which we hope is a good sign for the day of action on Wednesday.
“There were contingents or banners from the PCS, Unison, Unite, Aslef, EIS, RMT and NASUWT unions. “There was also a sizeable Jewish bloc for the first time too.”
Around 400 people marched in Cardiff, reports Helen. “A loud and dynamic demo in a wet and windy city. Chants against Sunak and Starmer, calling Israel a terror state.”
Five damning factsEarlier this week World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a briefing that “Over 100,000 Gazans are either dead, injured, or missing and presumed dead.”
Up to 10,000 people joined a demonstration for Palestine in Edinburgh. Hector reports, “It’s the biggest demonstration in Edinburgh since the start of the movement—and the biggest demo in the city since the big Scottish independence marches. It saw the best trade union turnout so far, which we hope is a good sign for the day of action on Wednesday.
“There were contingents or banners from the PCS, Unison, Unite, Aslef, EIS, RMT and NASUWT unions. “There was also a sizeable Jewish bloc for the first time too.”
Around 400 people marched in Cardiff, reports Helen. “A loud and dynamic demo in a wet and windy city. Chants against Sunak and Starmer, calling Israel a terror state.”
Five damning factsEarlier this week World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a briefing that “Over 100,000 Gazans are either dead, injured, or missing and presumed dead.”
In the week since the International Court of Justice ruled Israel could plausibly be carrying out genocide in Gaza, the Israeli military has killed at least 874 Palestinians.
Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant has officially declared, “Victory will not be complete until the military expands into Rafah.” Rafah is the enclave in south of Gaza where 1 million or more Palestinians are sheltering.
“Most of Gaza’s population is in Rafah,” Emad, a Palestinian, told Reuters News Agency. “If the tanks storm in, we will be left with two choices—stay and die or climb the walls into Egypt. It will be a massacre like never before during this war.” Jens Laerke of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told a briefing in Geneva, “Rafah is a pressure cooker of despair, and we fear for what comes next.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development released a report this week on the social and economic destruction in Gaza since 7 October. It says that if the current military operation were to end immediately with reconstruction starting right away and the 2007-2022 growth trend persists, it would take Gaza until 2092 just to restore the economic production levels of 2022.
THE REAL LEADER OF REAL LABOUR
Jeremy Corbyn leads protesters in London calling for a ceasefire in Gaza - with 20,000 joining march,By KATHERINE LAWTON and JON BRADY and DAN WOODLAND
DAILY MAIL
3 February 2024
Jeremy Corbyn led protesters in London calling for a ceasefire in Gaza today - with 20,000 joining the march despite organisers claiming 'hundreds of thousands' would be demonstrating.
The former Labour Party leader was seen at the front of the protest surrounded by signs calling for peace before he made a speech imploring Rishi Sunak to call for a ceasefire.
Mr Corbyn said: 'We march because we believe; we march because the Palestinian people want and need our support.
'If we don't get a ceasefire here, the war goes on...we are the voice for peace.'
Meanwhile, protesters brought a large effigy of the current Labour Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, with the words 'Starmer for genocide' written on its forehead.
Sir Keir was previously called a 'genocide enabler' and accused of having blood on his hands after he and other politicians refused to back calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
3 February 2024
Jeremy Corbyn led protesters in London calling for a ceasefire in Gaza today - with 20,000 joining the march despite organisers claiming 'hundreds of thousands' would be demonstrating.
Mr Corbyn said: 'We march because we believe; we march because the Palestinian people want and need our support.
'If we don't get a ceasefire here, the war goes on...we are the voice for peace.'
Meanwhile, protesters brought a large effigy of the current Labour Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, with the words 'Starmer for genocide' written on its forehead.
Sir Keir was previously called a 'genocide enabler' and accused of having blood on his hands after he and other politicians refused to back calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Jeremy Corbyn (pictured) led protesters in London calling for a ceasefire in Gaza today
The former Labour Party leader was seen at the front of the march surrounded by signs calling for a ceasefire
Mr Corbyn marched through the crowds before giving a speech imploring Rishi Sunak to call for a ceasefire in Gaza
Protesters made their feelings known about Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer by creating an effigy of him
The effigy of Sir Keir had the words 'Starmer for genocide' written on its forehead
Mr Corbyn gave a speech to the crowds imploring Rishi Sunak to call for a ceasefire
Thousands march through London in support of Gaza ceasefire
TRENDING
Today's London march was the first since the International Court of Justice scolded Israel for its strikes on areas of Gaza heavily populated by civilians, following a claim by South Africa that Israel is perpetrating genocide - an accusation it denies.
Organisers from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) had predicted 'hundreds of thousands' of people to attend the march, which set off at noon from Portland Place in Marylebone.
The Met says it made a number of arrests after one marcher was accused of setting off a suspected smoke bomb or flare, while another was handcuffed for allegedly chanting slogans that could incite racial hatred.
Scotland Yard has dispatched hundreds of additional officers to the streets for the protests, and said on Saturday: 'The vast majority of those joining protests have done so in a lawful and peaceful way but a minority have broken the law and arrests have been made.'
It says 'anyone crossing the line today should expect to be dealt with swiftly...(including) anyone who carries placards and banners, or makes statements, that may be a religious or racially aggravated offence'.
In a video message the senior officer running the operation vowed the force would not tolerate hate or inexcusable behaviour.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said in a clip posted on X, formerly Twitter: 'I know that these protests can be incredibly disruptive to businesses, to residents, to people trying to travel through central London.
Mr Corbyn said: 'We march because we believe; we march because the Palestinian people want and need our support'
Keir Starmer attends the Memorial Service for former Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd at St Margaret's Church last month
Protesters have gathered in Whitehall outside Downing Street to hear speeches from the likes of Jeremy Corbyn on Gaza
The protesters gathered on Portland Place before marching down Regent Street towards Westminster
This is the eighth national 'day of action' calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
Protesters with their faces painted in the colours of the Palestinian flag listen to speeches on Whitehall
A man wearing a Rishi Sunak mask and a prisoner's uniform during the march in London
Protesters are marching through London in the first major pro-Palestine action since the International Court of Justice called on Israel to minimise civilian casualties
Protesters march down Regent Street heading for Westminster as they call for a ceasefire in Gaza
A woman with a megaphone rallies pro-Palestine activists as they march through London
Pro-Palestine protesters continue to claim that Israel is perpetrating genocide - a claim the country has strongly rebuked
Pro-Palestine protesters gathered in London's Portland Place ahead of the march to Whitehall
The parade is winding its way through central London and will end on Whitehall, where speeches will be made
READ MORE: Hundreds of pro-Palestine campaigners target Barclays' 54 bank branches over allegations they are funding Israel's attacks
'But I want to reassure you that the majority of protesters will be peaceful and we've got an extensive operation with hundreds of officers working to make sure that anybody who tries to cause any difficulties is dealt with swiftly and effectively.'
While the PSC had said 'hundreds of thousands (were) expected in London', the Met estimated around 20,000 people were taking part, according to a post the force made on X.
READ MORE: Protesters target Science Museum in latest anti-Israel demo
Protesters carried banners reading 'Freedom for Palestine' and 'End the Occupation' as they marched down Regent Street, where police stood at the side of the roads outside shops.
Some carried signs in the shape of watermelons - in deference to the fruit's use as a symbol of Palestinian resistance to the early years of Israeli occupation, when the displaying of Palestinian flags was banned.
The procession took in Oxford Circus - which was closed to traffic for around 30 minutes as the march began - Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket, Cockspur Street and Trafalgar Square before advancing down Whitehall.
The road outside Downing Street was initially off-limits to protesters after the Met refused to allow the march to proceed down the road while negotiating with organisers - but the force later capitulated and allowed the full route to go ahead.
Officers were seen guarding the Cenotaph, which was surrounded by waist-high metal fences.
Speakers including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and RMT general secretary Mick Lynch are making speeches to the crowd imploring Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call for a ceasefire.
The Metropolitan Police has said the 'majority of protesters will be peaceful' - but vowed to crack down on any disruptive actors 'swiftly and effectively'
Protestors march down Regent Street during the 'Ceasefire Now Stop The Genocide In Gaza' national UK demonstration on Saturday
Around 10,000 people are belived to be taking part in today's march, according to the Met
A woman with a face mask holds a 'watermelon' sign calling for a ceasefire in Gaza - the fruit is sometimes used as a symbol of Palestinian resistance to Israel's occupation of the territories
Protestors hold signs reading 'rom the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' - a controversial slogan among some who feel it calls for the displacement of Israel
Pro-Palestinian protesters hold up banners, flags and placards during a demonstration in London on Saturday February 3
Piers Corbyn is pictured during a pro-Palestine march in central London today, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Pro-Palestinian protesters hold up banners, flags and placards during a demonstration in London on Saturday
A man holds a sign reading 'Over 9000 children killed. Stop genocide. End apartheid' during a protest in London today
Union boss Mr Lynch told the crowds: 'You have come out time and again to put your arms around the Palestinian people, to show your love and solidarity.
'History will judge us. Where were you in this period? Who did you support?
'We will keep going until we have peace in Palestine, peace in the region.'
The Met has ordered speeches to end by 5pm and for the crowds to disperse within half an hour following that time.
It has been handing leaflets to protesters advising them to 'keep on the right side of the law', with guidance on how to 'avoid ending up in our cells' through the displaying of offensive signs or those that advocate for 'acts of terrorism'.
DAC Ward has also authorised a Section 60AA order that permits officers to ask for face coverings to be removed if they suspect they are being used in order to conceal an individual's identity.
But the force has rubbished a claim from the Stop the War Coalition that it serves as a 'ban' on face coverings; the use of such orders does not extend to religious face coverings such as burqas, or to those wearing masks for medical reasons.
It said on X: 'This legislation is not a ban. It only applies if officers believe a face covering is being worn to conceal identity. It does not apply to religious face coverings and we will always be conscious of the medically vulnerable.'
Stop the War had said: 'Apart from the fact that this has not been raised at any of our meetings (with police), this is a gross violation of civil liberties.'
As with previous marches, protesters are banned from entering the area of Kensington Palace Gardens and Kensington Road outside the Israeli Embassy.
Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, accused Israel of committing 'genocide' in Gaza with its near-ceaseless shelling of the occupied territory since Hamas terrorists brutally killed 1,200 Israelis on October 7.
He said of today's protest: 'We have been marching and protesting in our hundreds of thousands for more than three months warning ... (that) Israel's actions demonstrate a genocidal intent.
'Israel has so far killed more than 27,000 Palestinian men, women and children. How long will our political leaders continue to aid and provide cover for genocide?
'We will march to Whitehall to bring our message home to Downing Street – the UK must end its complicity in Israel's genocide and demand a ceasefire now.'
Protests also took place in Cardiff, Edinburgh and in Newcastle, where protesters gathered outside the factory of weapons firm Rafael, which is headquartered in Israel.
South Wales Police said of the Cardiff procession: 'We are aware of the protest in central Cardiff today.
'We have a visible police presence in the city as officers work to ensure that visitors can go about their business safely. We are engaging with those involved and assisting in facilitating lawful, peaceful protest.'
'History will judge us. Where were you in this period? Who did you support?
'We will keep going until we have peace in Palestine, peace in the region.'
The Met has ordered speeches to end by 5pm and for the crowds to disperse within half an hour following that time.
It has been handing leaflets to protesters advising them to 'keep on the right side of the law', with guidance on how to 'avoid ending up in our cells' through the displaying of offensive signs or those that advocate for 'acts of terrorism'.
DAC Ward has also authorised a Section 60AA order that permits officers to ask for face coverings to be removed if they suspect they are being used in order to conceal an individual's identity.
But the force has rubbished a claim from the Stop the War Coalition that it serves as a 'ban' on face coverings; the use of such orders does not extend to religious face coverings such as burqas, or to those wearing masks for medical reasons.
It said on X: 'This legislation is not a ban. It only applies if officers believe a face covering is being worn to conceal identity. It does not apply to religious face coverings and we will always be conscious of the medically vulnerable.'
Stop the War had said: 'Apart from the fact that this has not been raised at any of our meetings (with police), this is a gross violation of civil liberties.'
As with previous marches, protesters are banned from entering the area of Kensington Palace Gardens and Kensington Road outside the Israeli Embassy.
Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, accused Israel of committing 'genocide' in Gaza with its near-ceaseless shelling of the occupied territory since Hamas terrorists brutally killed 1,200 Israelis on October 7.
He said of today's protest: 'We have been marching and protesting in our hundreds of thousands for more than three months warning ... (that) Israel's actions demonstrate a genocidal intent.
'Israel has so far killed more than 27,000 Palestinian men, women and children. How long will our political leaders continue to aid and provide cover for genocide?
'We will march to Whitehall to bring our message home to Downing Street – the UK must end its complicity in Israel's genocide and demand a ceasefire now.'
Protests also took place in Cardiff, Edinburgh and in Newcastle, where protesters gathered outside the factory of weapons firm Rafael, which is headquartered in Israel.
South Wales Police said of the Cardiff procession: 'We are aware of the protest in central Cardiff today.
'We have a visible police presence in the city as officers work to ensure that visitors can go about their business safely. We are engaging with those involved and assisting in facilitating lawful, peaceful protest.'
Protesters march towards the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh during a simultaneous march in the Scottish capital
Activists gathered outside Holyrood to echo calls for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas
Thousands attended the Edinburgh demo, which took in Princes Street and the Royal Mile before advancing onto parliament
Pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside the Rafael weapons factory in Newcastle on Saturday as part of the national 'day of action'
Activists held a banner with the faces of Sir Keir Starmer, Joe Biden and Rishi Sunak outside the arms manufacturer
Activists stand with Palestinian flags outside the Newcastle factory of Israeli weapons firm Rafael
This is the eighth Day of Action for Palestine since Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, organised by a coalition of organisations including Stop the War, Friends of Al-Aqsa, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to 'destroy' Hamas in response to the October 7 attacks. Israel has carried out strikes and deployed troops throughout the Gaza Strip almost endlessly since October, save for mediated breaks in the conflict to allow for the exchange of hostages.
Last week, the International Court of Justice demanded that Israel do all it can to reduce civilian casualties after South Africa lodged a case alleging genocide.
READ MORE: Hamas placed booby-trap bombs on the bodies of women killed in their October 7 attack on Israel, inquiry hears
It has also told the state to avoid taking any actions that could fall under the UN's definition of genocide, which defines the act as killing, seriously harming or deliberately seeking to bring about the end of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, including by preventing births.
In a ruling that covered most of what the African country had asked for, the 17-judge panel also called for Israel to facilitate the ongoing delivery of aid to the 1.4million Gazans that had been displaced by the war.
But Mr Netanyahu fired back, calling the fact that the court was willing to discuss the genocide charges a 'mark of shame that will not be erased for generations' as he vowed to press ahead with the war.
He said: 'Like every country, Israel has the basic right to defend itself. The court in the Hague rightfully rejected the outrageous request to take that away from us.'
'We will continue to do what is necessary to defend our country and defend our people.'
Despite this, the Associated Press reports that Hamas-sanctioned police officers are started to appear on the rubble-strewn streets of Gaza City again, suggesting the terror enclave is far from defeated.
Civil servants are also believed to be resuming duties in makeshift offices, as the group's bureaucratic arm attempts to resume public services that it has been operating since taking power in 2007.
Hamas is also studying a proposed ceasefire deal that would see fighting halt in Gaza so further prisoner exchanges can be made with Israel.
But a call by the group's top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, for the IDF's military operations to 'completely end' in Gaza and for troops to withdraw has already been rejected by Israel.
The UN estimates that more than 69,000 buildings in Gaza - nearly one third of all structures in the territory - had been destroyed or moderately damaged in the months since the war began.
Earlier this week, Britain said future funding for a UN relief agency that helps Palestinians hinges on the outcome of inquiries into allegations that staff took part in the October 7 attack.
Smoke rises from an explosion in northern Gaza after an Israeli missile strike on January 31
A Palestinian girl stands in a doorway in Rafah on February 3 after a building was hit by an Israeli shell
A woman cries as she sifts through rubble of a destroyed house in Rafah following Israeli bombardment
Hamas burst into Israel on October 7 and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to 'destroy' Hamas, maintaining that Israel has a right to defend itself
The International Court of Justice has called on Israel to do all it can to minimise civilian casualties in Gaza (pictured making its ruling last week)
Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is 'critical' to delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza and the region, but added the UK is 'appalled' by the allegations of agency staff being involved in the atrocities.
The UK joined the US, Australia, Italy and other countries in pausing funding for UNRWA after it sacked a number of staff accused of taking part in the October attack.
The funding pause has sparked concerns about the impact the decision will have on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the Israeli bombardment continues.
The row over funding for UNRWA comes amid rising tension in the Middle East after a drone attack on Sunday killed three US troops and injured dozens more in north-eastern Jordan, near the Syrian border.
Several opposition MPs have pressed the UK Government to suspend arms sales to Israel following an interim ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The ICJ stopped short of ordering a ceasefire in Gaza in a genocide case filed by South Africa, but it demanded that Israel tries to contain death and damage in its military offensive.
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