“Hundreds of thousands” of protesters are expected to take part in a pro-Palestinian march in London today (Saturday), as the Metropolitan Police warn that months of protest have caused “fear and uncertainty” in Jewish communities , and that a counter-demonstration was organized. canceled for security reasons.
The march, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), will gather in Parliament Square from midday and leave half an hour later, ending in Hyde Park, where speeches will be made.
Organizers expect a large turnout for the event, which they say is a response to Israel’s “brutal attack” on Gaza.
A static demonstration organized by the pro-Israel group Enough is Enough will take place at the same time at Pall Mall, along the route of the pro-Palestinian march.
The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism (CAA) was also scheduled to hold a counter-protest on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., but it was canceled the day before.
“Hundreds of thousands” of protesters are expected to take part in a pro-Palestinian march in London today (Saturday), amid a warning from the Metropolitan Police that months of protest have caused “fear and uncertainty » in Jewish communities.
Organizers expect a large turnout for the event, which they say is a response to Israel’s “brutal attack” on Gaza. Pictured: A Palestine Solidarity Campaign march earlier this month
According to the Met, protests like those held since October 7 have cost around £38.4 million and required the cancellation of 44,722 officer posts, as well as 6,399 officer days off.
The organization said it canceled the “Walk Together” event – which was expected to attract thousands of people – after receiving threats and identifying “hostile actors” who posed a risk to the safety of Jews.
The CPS march will be the 13th national demonstration since the first organized on October 9.
According to the Met, protests like those held since October 7 have cost around £38.4 million and required the cancellation of 44,722 officer posts, as well as 6,399 officer days off.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said the forces aimed to police “without fear or favour”, and added that the protests in London had “been a particular cause of fear and uncertainty in Jewish communities”.
He said the events had caused some Jews to stay away from central London on protest days, avoid the tube, hide their identities or change their behavior.
Mr Twist added: “I know there are people who think the solution is to ban these protests.
“The bar for such a decision is incredibly high – it involves a risk of serious public unrest of a kind that we simply have not seen either in this period of protest or for several years.”
The now-canceled Campaign Against Anti-Semitism event was organized after the organization’s founder, Gideon Falter, was threatened with arrest during a pro-Palestinian protest earlier this month. During the incident, an officer described Mr. Falter, who was wearing a yarmulke, as “openly Jewish.”
Metropolitan Police branded ‘beyond appalling’ after officer threatened to arrest Mr Falter for ‘disturbing the peace’ over his ‘openly Jewish’ appearance
The Met said each protest would be subject to conditions imposed by the Public Order Act limiting where protesters are allowed to go.
The CPS march must follow a pre-agreed route via Whitehall, Piccadilly and Park Lane, the force added, stressing that areas near the Israeli embassy, near Hyde Park, should not be penetrated.
The smaller Enough is Enough protest is limited to one area of Pall Mall.
Both protests must be over by 5 p.m., the Met said.
The now-canceled CAA event was organized after the organization’s founder, Gideon Falter, was threatened with arrest during a pro-Palestinian protest earlier this month.
Mr. Falter was pulled aside by an officer who said he was “violating public order” because he was “openly Jewish.”
He then accused the Metropolitan Police of failing to respond to “the threat of anti-Semitic violence” and called for a mass protest by Jews and non-Jews to show that “no part of London should be dangerous”.
The Met said it was its understanding the event could take place at a later date.
To date, 415 arrests have been made during the protests, including 193 for anti-Semitic offenses and 15 arrests for terrorism, mainly for alleged support for Hamas, a group banned in the UK.
Ben Jamal, director of the CPS, said the march was “fueled by love for the principle of dignity and the rights of all human beings.”
He added: “As mass graves of Palestinians are discovered in Gaza, the call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to arms sales to Israel is now supported by the entire political spectrum and by a large part of the British public.
“Those who march know they are on the right side of history.”
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