Holding Palestinian flags and placards in the pouring rain tens of thousands of people on Saturday descended on the streets of central London to protest against Israeli attacks in Gaza and the rest of historic Palestine.
Gathering on London’s Embankment protesters marched past the Parliament buildings and through Oxford Street as they chanted “Free Palestine” and demanded an end to Israel’s occupation.
Some protesters lit flares showing the colors of the Palestinian flag as they gathered in the capital’s iconic Trafalgar Square chanting “Palestine will be free”.
Organizers including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Friends of Al-Aqsa estimated that at least 180000 people attended the London demonstration making it the largest pro-Palestine protest in British history.
Protests also took place in other UK cities including Birmingham Liverpool Bristol Peterborough and Nottingham as calls mounted for Britain to impose sanctions on Israel for its actions.
Speeches were made by trade union members Labor MPs and anti-war campaigners at the rally.
The protests came a day after Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire that saw an end to Israel’s daily bombardment of Gaza that killed at least 248 Palestinians including 66 children since the 10 May.
Addressing protesters from a stage in Hyde Park former Labor shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: “Yes a ceasefire has been negotiated and we welcome a ceasefire.
“But let’s be clear there will be no ceasefire in our campaign to boycott disinvest and sanction the Israeli apartheid state.
“The message is clear we will not cease our campaign in solidarity until there is justice. So let’s make it clear no justice no peace.”
– Source: Middle East Eye.
