Hundreds of thousands march for Palestine in London, demanding an end to UK support for Israel

Ansar Ahmed Ullah:

An estimated 250,000 people marched through London on Saturday 10 October to mark the Global Day for Palestine and three years since the start of Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza, renewing calls for the British government to end its support for Israel.
The demonstration brought together Palestine solidarity campaigners, trade unionists, community organisations and human rights activists in one of a series of major mobilisations demanding justice and freedom for the Palestinian people.

The march was organised by the Palestine Coalition, which includes the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Stop the War Coalition, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), the Palestinian Forum in Britain amongst others.
The demonstration marked another significant moment in a campaign that has seen supporters of Palestine march through the capital 37 times. The protests have consistently called for an end to British military, political and economic support for Israel, alongside action against its occupation of Palestinian territory and policies that campaigners describe as apartheid.

Among the key speakers addressing the rally were former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP, who received loud cheers from the crowd, alongside MPs John McDonnell and Zarah Sultana. Other speakers included actor Khalid Abdalla, UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan, Aimee Shalan of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and representatives of Palestinian solidarity organisations. Their speeches reinforced the march’s central demands for an end to British arms supplies to Israel, comprehensive sanctions and an end to UK complicity.
Organisers said years of demonstrations and campaigning had helped increase pressure on the government. They highlighted the Foreign Secretary’s acknowledgement that campaigners had been right on key issues and the announcement of sanctions relating to trade with illegal Israeli settlements as indications that public pressure was having an impact.
However, campaigners warned that these measures were insufficient and that much more needed to be done. Their demands include full sanctions against Israel, a two-way arms embargo and an end to all forms of British complicity.
The march also drew attention to the immense suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the wider consequences of decades of occupation, displacement and restrictions on Palestinian life. For those taking part, the demonstration was not simply a commemoration of three years of war, but a renewed commitment to continue campaigning for Palestinian rights.
Organisers stressed that the struggle would continue beyond the demonstration, urging people across the country to maintain pressure on the government through further protests and campaigning. They argued that only sustained public action would force a change in British policy and help secure accountability and justice for Palestinians.
As the march concluded, the organisers reiterated their determination to continue until their demands were met, paying tribute to Palestinians whose lives have been devastated by decades of colonisation and oppression.
Their closing message was one of continued solidarity and resolve: “We will not rest until Palestine is free.”