More than 100,000 people took to the streets in London on Saturday to protest and defend the rights of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank following the violent response to Hamas’ horrific terror attacks against Israel earlier this month.
Around 1,000 Met police officers are deployed to monitor events in the capital after tens of thousands demonstrated in solidarity with Palestinians trapped in the Gaza Strip at a similar event last week.
More than 4,100 people have been confirmed dead in Gaza as a result of a sustained airstrikes campaign in response to an incursion by Hamas militants that killed more than 1,400 Israelis – the vast majority of whom were civilians.
The protest began peacefully on Saturday when large crowds took to the streets of central London with Palestinian flags. By 2pm, Met Police said more than 100,000 people had joined the march, which bypassed Marble Arch on the way to Whitehall.
In addition to the main march, the controversial Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir – which means “Party of Liberation” and first emerged in Britain in the 1980s – is holding its own protest outside the Egyptian and Turkish embassies.
Thousands took to the streets of London on Saturday to take part in peaceful protests in solidarity with the Palestinian people
Around 1,000 Met police officers are deployed to monitor events in the capital after tens of thousands demonstrated in solidarity with Palestinians trapped in the Gaza Strip at a similar event last week
Demonstrators protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas
Demonstrators held large signs and banners as they protested for the second weekend in a row
People take part in a March for Palestine in London on October 21st
Heavy security around Westminster for March for Palestine on Saturday
The Met Police say it is deploying around 1,000 officers on Saturday amid expected pro-Palestinian protests
The Israeli embassy pictured on Saturday is the center of a major police protection operation
s for their event show members of the group demanding that “the armies of Muslim countries liberate Palestine,” adding that this is “the only way to save Muslims under attack.”
Hizb ut-Tahrir is banned in more than 40 countries and both Tony Blair and David Cameron considered banning the group during their terms as prime minister, but were reportedly warned by police chiefs that it could become more radical if it were to become more radical underground would be forced.
Images from London on Saturday show a large police presence around the Israeli embassy, including more than 20 police cars and dozens of officers in riot gear patrolling the streets.
Large metal and concrete barriers were erected outside the embassy entrance, and officials were seen stacking shields in the gates.
It follows a largely peaceful series of marches in cities across the UK last weekend, although isolated incidents included young women with pictures of paragliders on their backs and a woman in Glasgow who shouted: “Remember where the Jews are in the “Were in 1940”, which caused outrage at the time.
At least 4,100 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the terrorist group Hamas, which controls the region, launched a horrific attack on Israel earlier this month, killing more than 1,400 people and taking another 200 hostage.
The vast majority of those killed in the attack, which was carried out on the ground and in the air using paragliders, were civilians.
More than 4,100 people have been confirmed dead in Gaza as a result of a sustained airstrikes campaign
More than 100,000 people took to the streets in London on Saturday
Protesters during a pro-Palestinian march organized by the Stop the War Coalition and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in central London
Israel launched a spate of attacks on Gaza against Hamas militants, initially besieging the Strip to prevent food, water and medical aid from reaching the region
Hamas is accused of massacring entire villages and murdering 250 people at a music festival in its Oct. 7 attack.
At least nine Britons were killed in the attack and another seven were missing. Entire families, including babies and the elderly, were shot and mutilated.
In retaliation, Israel launched a spate of attacks on Gaza against Hamas militants, initially besieging the Strip to prevent food, water and medical aid from reaching the region.
On Saturday morning, the first international aid trucks were allowed to enter Gaza via the Egyptian border crossing.
Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the Met Police have deployed around 1,000 officers to patrol the capital this afternoon.
The force said it had recorded a 1,353 percent increase in anti-Semitic crimes and a 140 percent increase in Islamophobic crimes since the conflict began.
On Saturday, groups of police were seen standing in front of the Israeli embassy
By midday on Saturday, at least 20 police cars were spotted near the embassy
Dozens of police gathered in front of the Israeli embassy in London
In a statement released on Friday, the Met said it expected “another significant demonstration in central London, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.”
The march began at midday in Marble Arch and continues along Park Lane via Hyde Park Corner, Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square before ending in Whitehall.
Online videos showed protesters shouting slogans such as “Israel is a terrorist state” and “Free Palestine.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters in central London on Saturday chanted: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” although controversy remains over the meaning of the slogan.
Interior Minister Suella Braverman has previously branded the slogan anti-Semitic, claiming it is “widely understood” to call for the destruction of Israel.
While Jewish groups, including the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council and the Community Security Trust, have asked prosecutors to clarify whether chanting the slogan constitutes a criminal offense.
However, those defending the slogan describe it as a “long-standing protest chant” demanding a homeland for the Palestinian people.
A small group of pro-Palestinian protesters staged a separate demonstration in central London on Saturday, calling for “Muslim armies” to save the Palestinian people.
The group of around 100 people, believed to be members and supporters of Hizb ut-Tahrir, were standing on Balfour Mews, just off the road, away from the path leading to the main protests.
The speakers addressed the crowd in Arabic. A large banner read: “Muslim armies, save the people of Palestine.”
Hizb ut-Tahrir released a statement on its website this week calling for an armed invasion of Israel by Muslim nations.
The Met said there had been a 1,353 percent increase in anti-Semitic crimes and a 140 percent increase in Islamophobic crimes since the start of the conflict
Officers patrolled the streets of central London wearing protective helmets on Saturday
In a statement released on Friday, the Met said it expected “another significant demonstration in central London, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.”
Police officers set up roadblocks in Kensington in anticipation of protests
Dozens of police gathered in front of the Israeli embassy on Saturday morning
It said: “The Muslim community in Britain calls on Muslim forces to take immediate action to liberate Palestine from occupation.”
“These armies exist to uphold the dignity of Muslims, a duty that transcends any nation-state border.”
“Palestine has great importance as the land of the prophets.” It is incumbent on the Muslim armies to steadfastly defend it against all forms of aggression and occupation.
“The Muslim community in Britain is deeply concerned and strongly condemns decisions and agreements by Muslim rulers that protect the Zionist entity.”
“The Muslim community firmly believes that Palestine is a blessed Islamic land.” “Any action that contributes to the continued occupation or silence on this matter is a crime against Islam, a betrayal of the Ummah and a violation of Islamic law Duty to protect the blessed land.”
Hizb ut-Tahrir spokesmen insist they do not support Hamas but want better conditions for civilians in Gaza.
The Met has introduced Section 12 protest restrictions, meaning anyone who deviates from prescribed routes can be arrested.
It also enforces a Section 14 notice banning protesters from entering certain streets adjacent to the Israeli embassy.