Pro-Palestinian March on October 7th Anniversary Sparks Outrage and Counter-Protests in London
Demonstrators calling for the eradication of Israel marched on the anniversary of the Hamas attacks, drawing criticism from government officials and leading to a larger counter-demonstration.
A pro-Palestinian student march on the third anniversary of the October 7th attacks in Israel, timed to coincide with the date Hamas murdered 1,200 civilians, has drawn widespread condemnation and prompted a significant counter-protest in central London.
The demonstration, organized by an entity calling itself 'The University of London Coalition,' proceeded on a designated route between King's College and University College. Despite pleas from the government and police to call off the event, the march went ahead, with organizers stating their demands included an end to the conflict in Gaza and the dismantling of the state of Israel.
Defense Secretary Wes Streeting described the march as 'shameful,' while the Metropolitan Police, though present, faced criticism for their handling of the event. Officers were present to manage the route and ensure no face coverings were worn, as per regulations. However, the police stated they could only ban protests if the risk of serious disorder was too high to manage, a threshold they determined was not met.
Participants in the pro-Palestinian march chanted slogans and some refused to comment on their motivations for protesting on the anniversary of the attacks. One individual, when questioned, disputed the casualty figures from October 7th and stated that the day was indeed the 'right day to march.'
Counter-protesters, organized by a group called 'Stop The Hate,' gathered in larger numbers, holding Israeli and Union flags and chanting slogans such as 'Terrorist supporters off our streets!' Participants in the counter-demonstration included individuals of various backgrounds, with some stating they were motivated by a sense of outrage and a desire to remember the victims of October 7th. Yoseph Haddad, an Israeli Arab, was present to commemorate Arab Israelis killed on that day and to condemn the march's timing. He encouraged onlookers to view footage of the atrocities committed.
The march concluded in Russell Square, where the counter-demonstration was significantly larger. Concerns were raised about the infiltration of younger generations with extremist ideologies, with one counter-protester referencing the Green Party's recent vote on Zionism. Itai Galmudy, head of Stop The Hate, criticized the police for facilitating the march, calling it a 'new low' in anti-Semitism.
In total, the police made 11 arrests, with five occurring at a separate demonstration outside the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The events unfolded in the constituency of Holborn and St Pancras, which was also the location of a van displaying an electric billboard with a political message, drawing further attention to the area on a day of local elections.
