Why it matters:
The massive turnout in central London reflects growing public opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza and rising concern over the U.K.’s role in arms exports. The march also highlights tensions around civil liberties and the future of pro-Palestine activism in Britain.
The big picture:
More than 500,000 people from across the U.K. gathered in London on Saturday for a pro-Palestine march that began in Russell Square and ended outside the Prime Minister’s office. Participants represented a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds, united in their call for justice and solidarity with Palestinians.
What they’re saying:
Ali Nasrallah, a human rights activist attending the march, warned of a worsening climate for Palestine advocacy in the U.K. “The situation will get worse. With the rise of far-right groups, there’s no positive outlook for Palestine support,” he said. “To secure the future of this movement, we must act now, break our silence, and move toward a future of truth and justice.” In response to a question about the state of democracy in the U.K., Nasrallah added: “Democracy here is nothing but corruption. Their definition of democracy is not the same as ours.”
On the ground:
The Palestine Action group held a separate protest in Parliament Square. Among the attendees was a blind elderly man who returned despite having been previously arrested for participating. Police attempted to detain another activist during the march, but the move was met with strong public resistance and ultimately failed.
Key voices:
Sarah Pilpatrickson, representing the National Education Union, condemned Israel’s actions and criticized the U.K.’s involvement in the production and export of F-35 fighter jets. “Britain contributes 15% of every F-35 jet,” she said. “This government is enabling the killing carried out by the Zionist regime.”
What’s next:
Organizers say future demonstrations are planned to maintain pressure on U.K. policymakers and raise awareness about Britain’s role in the conflict. The scale of Saturday’s march suggests growing momentum behind the movement.
Hossein Amiri - Mahboubeh Habibi
