19 October, 2025
thousands-rally-in-london-for-palestine-despite-ceasefire-deal

Tens of thousands of demonstrators participated in a march across central London on October 22, 2023, calling for continued support for Palestine, despite the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Organized by the Palestine Coalition, the protest featured a significant number of Palestinian flags and slogans urging the international community to “stop arming Israel” and “free Palestine.”

As the fragile peace deal, which involved the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, took effect the day before, the atmosphere in the city was charged. Protesters marched from Victoria Embankment to Whitehall, chanting slogans such as “death to the IDF” and “intifada, revolution.”

The Metropolitan Police reported making 14 arrests during the event. Seven of these were related to breaches of the Public Order Act, while others involved charges of supporting a proscribed group and affray. The exact numbers of pro-Israel counter-protesters arrested were not disclosed, but it was confirmed that some individuals from that group faced police action as well.

The situation escalated when a banner reading “Globalise the intifada is a call to murder Jews” was unfurled on Hungerford Bridge. Tensions rose as anti-Israel protesters attempted to remove the banner. The masked individuals who had displayed it resisted, prompting police to intervene swiftly to separate the two groups. The police stated, “A small group of counter-protesters breached their conditions by demonstrating at the form-up point of the Palestine Coalition protest,” which led to the scuffle.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism expressed concern over the nature of the demonstrations, suggesting that many participants were not genuinely advocating for peace. They issued a statement noting that the marchers, while claiming to be “anti-Zionist,” were instead promoting a more destructive agenda. “These are hate marches, pure and simple,” they asserted, reflecting sentiments echoed by various community members present at the event.

This demonstration marked the 32nd national rally in support of Palestine since Hamas launched an incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023. Addressing the crowd, Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), reaffirmed the group’s commitment to supporting Palestinian rights. He criticized the recent peace plan, arguing it failed to address the fundamental causes of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The march occurred just a day after the Israeli government approved the first phase of the long-anticipated ceasefire deal. The backdrop of this protest coincided with comments from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had indicated a crackdown on pro-Palestinian protest rhetoric in recent days.

As the situation in the region remains complex and volatile, the march in London reflects a broader sentiment among activists who continue to advocate for Palestinian rights, even in the wake of diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing peace.