The current pause brings little relief after 15,000 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in seven weeks of war.
Tens of thousands of people crowded central London demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Saturday’s National March for Palestine came on the second day of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has seen the release of hostages held by the Palestinian group and Palestinians imprisoned in Israel since October 7.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign estimated attendance at 300,000 people calling for “an end to the siege of Gaza.”
Protests and solidarity marches have been taking place in London and cities around the world since the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began seven weeks ago.
According to the Metropolitan Police, at least five people were arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, including for distributing “literature with a swastika in a Star of David.”
Police said 1,500 officers were deployed to monitor the march.
The officers stand at the start of today’s protest.
They have distributed leaflets to provide clarity about crimes and behavior that will not be tolerated. pic.twitter.com/NcyhTakPCy
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 25, 2023
Officers also handed out leaflets at the march “to provide clarity about crimes and behavior that will not be tolerated,” police said.
The peaceful demonstrators carried banners reading “Ceasefire now!” and “Stop the war on Gaza.”
Demonstrators listen to speeches in Whitehall during a protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza in London, Britain, November 25, 2023 [Hollie Adams/ Reuters]This month, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak fired Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who was angered after she accused police of being too lenient with pro-Palestinian protesters. She also made unauthorized comments about the country’s pro-Palestine demonstrations, which she called “hate marches.”