Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets of central London on Saturday as fighting escalated between Israel and Hamas, with police threatening arrests for those who go off route or show support for the terrorist group.
The march was organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in response to Israel's military response in the Gaza Strip after the Hamas militant group carried out terrorist attacks on Israel one week ago.
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“Anyone with a flag in support of Hamas or any other proscribed terrorist organisation will be arrested," Metropolitan Police officers warned, threatening arrests for those who deviate from the designated route. "We will not tolerate the celebration of terrorism or death, or tolerate anyone inciting violence.”
There is some uncertainty surrounding flags at the demonstration.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) October 14, 2023
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Please find the advice from Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor. pic.twitter.com/OMPv2z5fFW
In preparation for the “March for Palestine” demonstration, 1,000 extra police officers from across London were deployed.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators waved signs saying "Free Palestine" and “Stop bombing Gaza.” In videos circulating online, protests can be heard chanting, “Rishi Sunak, shame on you” — the march plans to go to Downing Street, the residence and office of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Protesters called out the governments of Britain and the United States for supporting Israel.
While leaders across the U.S. and the United Kingdom show support for Israel, the Israeli military response to the Hamas attacks has renewed calls from those who say Israel is occupying Palestinian land.
Israel’s military ordered more than 1 million people to leave the northern half of the Gaza Strip, dropping thousands of leaflets across Gaza on Friday. More than 1 million Palestinians were instructed to move to southern Gaza within 24 hours ahead of an expected military offensive to target Hamas. In response, Hamas told Palestinians to stay put in their residences.
The evacuation order sparked outrage across the globe, with the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs deeming it "impossible" to move that many people.
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"The UN considers it “impossible” for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences and appeals for the order to be rescinded," a statement reads.
On Saturday, hours after the 24-hour deadline had passed, the IDF said it would allow movement on two streets in Gaza “without any harm” between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time. Israel issued a complete blockade on Gaza on Monday, halting food, water, and electricity from entering the region and filtering to Hamas leaders.