Devendra Kumar
Thousands of protesters gathered in central London yesterday, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as the recent Hamas attacks on southern Israel claimed the lives of over 1,200 people and left more than 240 others kidnapped. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign organized the demonstration, which followed the Israeli military’s months-long attacks on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths and injuries of thousands.
Singer Charlotte Church joined the protest, stating that she wanted to show solidarity with the people of Palestine, who are suffering through this brutal conflict. Church emphasized that the majority of emotions expressed during the march were love and compassion, as people cannot bear to see civilians, children, and women being slaughtered. She believed that every march for Palestine is about spreading love and compassion and urged the government to send a strong message, but a peaceful and loving one.
The protesters waved Palestinian flags and carried banners with slogans such as “stop the war on Gaza” and “ceasefire now” as they marched from Hyde Park Corner to the US Embassy. The crowd chanted slogans like “free free Palestine”, “what do we want? Ceasefire. When do we want it? Now”, and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”. Female volunteers from Friends of Al-Aqsa also joined the protest to highlight the Palestinian genocide as a gendered issue.
The policing of Gaza-related protests in London has come at a significant cost, with the Metropolitan Police estimating that it has spent over £32 million so far, including 35,464 officer shifts and more than 5,200 officer rest days cancelled. The police have stated that they have a “robust policing plan” in place for the “busy weekend in the capital”.
The issue has sparked controversy, with Robin Simcox, the Government’s counter-extremism tsar, warning that London’s streets have become a “no-go zone for Jews” during pro-Palestine protests. He believes that a “permissive environment for radicalisation” is developing. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also weighed in, saying that democracy is being targeted by extremists and urging people to reject extremist messages.
Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, responded to the Prime Minister’s address by suggesting he “look in the mirror” and expel some senior MPs from his party. The protest highlights the deep divisions and disagreements over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, which shows no signs of abating.