Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters have gathered in central London chanting “from the river to the sea” as the Metropolitan Police face heightened scrutiny over the latest demonstrations against the Gaza war.
Before the march, hundreds of placards calling for a ceasefire in Gaza could be seen stacked around the statue of Sir Winston Churchill, while officers stood ready to keep the protesters apart from a pro-Israel counter-demonstration.
The chant “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” could be heard ringing out across Parliament Square as demonstrators prepared to march to Hyde Park.
The controversial slogan has frequently been interpreted by critics as calling for the eradication of the state of Israel, although others defend it as a rallying cry for Palestinian rights.
Placards being held by protesters contained anti-Semitic tropes, such as: “Wake up, our media, TV, radio and government are controlled by Zionists.”
Numerous police wearing riot gear were standing ready nearby.