More than 125,000 people flooded the streets of London on Saturday in a demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The 22nd National Demonstration for Palestine, which began at Park Lane and marched to Whitehall, marked a historic moment of unity and defiance, sending a clear message to the British government: the time for complicity is over. Justice must prevail.

The demonstrators voiced an uncompromising call to the UK government to end its support for Israel’s brutal occupation and its violations of international law. Protestors demanded that the UK cut all diplomatic, military, and economic ties with Israel and impose an arms embargo. The march was a call for the UK to uphold its moral and legal obligations, including complying with the ICC arrest warrants and ensuring that Israeli war criminals face justice.

The rally heard impassioned speeches from leaders including Kim Johnson, Labour MP, who denounced the UK government’s complicity and called for a complete overhaul of Britain’s foreign policy. Jeremy Corbyn, Independent MP, delivered a powerful message condemning Israel’s apartheid policies and the international community’s failure to hold Israel accountable for its crimes. Dr. Ahmad Mukallalati, a Palestinian doctor, shared harrowing firsthand accounts from Gaza, stressing the urgency of humanitarian intervention. Khalid Abdalla, acclaimed actor and activist, highlighted the need for global solidarity, framing the Palestinian struggle as part of the broader fight for justice for all oppressed peoples. Juliet Stevenson, renowned actor, emphasized the power of collective action in the fight for justice, while Halima Begum, CEO of Oxfam, called for both immediate humanitarian aid and a political resolution to end the violence.
Faris Amer, speaking on behalf of the Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB), condemned the UK government’s hypocrisy in the face of growing international efforts to hold Israeli officials accountable. He said:
“While the ICC issues arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy shows contempt for international laws and norms by repeating the Zionist propaganda line ‘there are no journalists in Gaza’ that is used to justify genocide. We stand in support of the valiant Palestinian journalists who risk everything to show the world Israel’s crimes.”
The march ended with a call for the UK government to stop arming Israel, stop shielding it from international accountability, and instead stand firmly with the Palestinian people in their fight for justice, freedom, and self-determination. The demonstrators made it clear: they will not stop until the UK stops its complicity in Israel’s war crimes and actively works to end the occupation and siege of Palestine.
The massive turnout was a stark reminder to the government that public opinion is firmly against continued support for Israel’s violations. This demonstration marks a new chapter in the struggle for Palestinian rights, as people across Britain and the world are demanding an end to the occupation and an end to the silence of governments enabling Israel’s apartheid policies.
The organisers thanked everyone who participated and pledged to continue the fight for justice. The message is loud and clear: Palestine will not be forgotten, and neither will those governments who continue to stand in the way of justice.