Pro-Palestinian Marchers Clash with Counter-Protesters in London on October 7 Anniversary

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets of central London on the anniversary of the October 7th Hamas attacks, clashing with counter-protesters and drawing criticism from government officials. The march, organized by a group calling itself 'The University of London Coalition,' proceeded despite pleas from the government and police to call it off due to its "shameful" and "incendiary" timing.

Protests and Counter-Protests Erupt

Around 150 pro-Palestinian marchers gathered near Holborn Tube station, chanting slogans and holding banners. Many wore face coverings, sunglasses, or keffiyehs, attempting to obscure their identities. The Metropolitan Police had banned face coverings at the event, but only a handful of arrests were made for this offense. The demonstrators called for an end to the conflict in Gaza and, according to one participant, the eradication of the state of Israel. One marcher defended the demonstration's timing, stating, "Today is the right day to march!"

A larger counter-demonstration, organized by a group called 'Stop The Hate,' gathered in Russell Square. Counter-protesters waved Israeli and Union flags, chanting slogans such as "Terrorist supporters off our streets!" Some participants expressed outrage at the timing of the pro-Palestinian march, particularly on the anniversary of the October 7th attacks in which 1,200 civilians were killed. "This is a hateful march and it should be banned," said Magda Falka, a counter-protester from Poland.

Police Response and Arrests

The police established a human barrier between the two groups, asserting their presence more forcefully later in the day. The Metropolitan Police had stated in advance that they could only ban protests if the risk of serious disorder was too high to manage. They noted that "this high bar is not met here." The pro-Palestinian marchers had not identified a specific organizer, which complicated the police's ability to halt the demonstration under the Public Order Act. The march was permitted to proceed between two university hubs, King's College and University College, with a designated start and endpoint.

In total, police made 11 arrests. Five of these arrests were made at a separate demonstration outside the offices of the Board of Deputies of British Jews on suspicion of inciting racial hatred. The pro-Palestinian march concluded in Russell Square, where it was met by the counter-demonstration. The events unfolded in the constituency of Holborn and St Pancras, where a by-election was also taking place.

Counter-protesters displayed placards with slogans like 'Geno-Lie' and lists of historical genocides. Itai Galmudy, head of Stop The Hate, criticized the police for facilitating the march, calling it "a new low in anti-Semitism."