Demonstrators protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in London, Britain, October 21, 2023. Portal/Hannah McKay/File Photo Acquire Rights
LONDON, Nov 11 (Portal) – Hundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to take part in a pro-Palestinian march in London on Saturday. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak criticized the rally as disrespectful and feared it could lead to violence on Remembrance Day for war veterans.
The National March for Palestine is the fourth to take place in the British capital since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7. However, ministers have said it should be canceled as it coincides with Armistice Day, which marks the end of World War One and commemorations for those killed in military action.
Police have said they have nearly 2,000 officers on duty and are vowing to crack down on any unrest caused either by participants in the march or by counter-protests from opposing right-wing groups and veterans.
“I really believe there will be serious disturbances if the groups come together,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the officer in charge.
“The police operation this weekend is huge,” he told reporters, saying it would be “challenging and tense.”
There has been strong support and sympathy for Israel from Western governments, including the British, and many citizens in the face of Hamas attacks. But the Israeli reaction also sparked anger: weekly protests in London called for a ceasefire.
Organizers from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign said Saturday’s march would stay away from the Cenotaph war memorial near Sunak’s Downing Street office and end at the US Embassy, about two miles away.
Police have said they will impose a exclusion zone around areas associated with commemorative events, while an unprecedented 24-hour police guard has been in place at the Cenotaph since Thursday.
“We could potentially have one of the largest marches in Britain’s political history, but I would confidently say hundreds of thousands will take part,” Ben Jamal, the PCS director, told Portal.
“Politicians can only ignore important parts of public opinion for so long.”
“HATE MARCHER”
While previous PSC marches have generally been peaceful, there have been more than 100 arrests for offenses including showing support for Hamas, banned as a terrorist organization in Britain, or holding placards with offensive slogans.
Three women appeared in court on Friday and were charged with terrorism offenses for supporting Hamas by carrying pictures of paragliders, and police said behavior by breakaway groups at the rallies had become more violent.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman, the minister responsible for policing, caused controversy by labeling the protesters “hate protesters,” and Sunak came under pressure from his own lawmakers to sack them after she accused police of double standards in their treatment. pro-Palestinian mobs.”
The prime minister himself said Saturday’s protests were disrespectful but should be allowed to take place, although he said he would hold London’s police chief to account for securing commemorations.
Lawmakers have expressed concerns that far-right groups will try to use the occasion as a pretext for violence.
Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, the former co-chair of the English Defense League, which has often staged violent demonstrations against Islam, has called on his supporters to rally in the capital.
“We want to show the world that the British people don’t want it,” Yaxley-Lennon, who goes by the name Tommy Robinson, said in a social media video. “So… I hope to see as many of you as possible in London this Saturday.”
DAC Taylor said police had hoped to avoid trouble but clashes were likely.
“There will be times this weekend when there will be confrontations, despite the conditions and all the measures I have taken to manage that,” he said.
“I hope we don’t do that, but I think it’s likely that police will have to use force to deal with some of the situations we’re dealing with.”
Reporting by Michael Holden, Editing by Ed Osmond
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