Tens of thousands gathered in central London on March 15, 2024, for a large-scale protest organized by the Palestine Coalition. This demonstration took place just one day after a ceasefire agreement was implemented between Israel and Hamas, which included the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Participants brandished Palestinian flags and chanted slogans calling for the end of arms sales to Israel and advocating for Palestinian freedom.
The Metropolitan Police reported making 14 arrests during the event. Seven individuals were detained for violating conditions under the Public Order Act, while others faced charges related to supporting a proscribed group and affray. Some pro-Israel counter-protesters were also among those arrested, although the police did not specify the exact number.
The situation escalated when a group of masked men unfurled a controversial banner on Hungerford Bridge that read: “Globalise the intifada is a call to murder Jews.” When anti-Israel protesters attempted to remove the banner, a confrontation ensued, prompting riot police to intervene swiftly. According to the police, this group was not associated with the officially sanctioned pro-Israel counter-demonstration.
The Metropolitan Police detailed that “a small group of counter-protesters breached their conditions by demonstrating at the form-up point of the Palestine Coalition protest,” leading to a scuffle that required police intervention. Officers quickly separated the groups and made a few arrests.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) expressed concern regarding the intentions of some participants, suggesting that the demonstration was not genuinely aimed at promoting peace in the Middle East. They emphasized that the protests appeared to focus on the destruction of Israel rather than seeking a resolution to the ongoing conflict. The CAA noted, “These are hate marches, pure and simple,” indicating a broader issue of antisemitism linked to some of the rhetoric used during the protests.
This latest demonstration marks the 32nd national protest in support of Palestine following the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023. At a rally that followed the march, Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), stated that the organization would “never stop” advocating for Palestinian rights. He criticized the ceasefire agreement, claiming it failed to address the underlying issues of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The timing of this protest coincided with a recent statement from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who indicated that his government would take measures against pro-Palestinian protest rhetoric. As the situation evolves, reactions from various groups continue to highlight the complexities surrounding the ongoing conflict and the varied perspectives on the path to peace.
As the protest concluded, demonstrators remained steadfast in their demands, illustrating the ongoing tensions and deep-seated frustrations that persist within the discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
