Hundreds of thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators flooded the streets of central London on Saturday, marking the 32nd national protest since the Israel-Hamas war erupted two years ago.
Organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and allied groups including Stop the War, the march called for an end to UK arms sales to Israel, accountability for alleged genocide and apartheid, and a pathway to "lasting justice" for Palestinians (whatever that means).
The event unfolded just a day after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect, bringing a mix of relief and skepticism among participants.
The march began at Victoria Embankment around noon, proceeding through key landmarks including Westminster Bridge under strict conditions imposed by the Metropolitan Police, who deployed over 1,500 officers to manage the event and separate it from a smaller group of counter-protesters.
A dispersal order was set for 5:30 p.m., and police reported a small number of arrests.
Participants expressed cautious optimism about the truce, which followed Hamas's agreement to release remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but voiced concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed peace plan, which they argued fails to address underlying issues like Israel's "system of apartheid."
