Across the United Kingdom, demonstrations in support of Palestine have taken place in cities such as London, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Cambridge, Norwich, Coventry, Edinburgh, and Swansea. The largest demonstration was held outside the BBC’s New Broadcasting House in London, attended by thousands as protesters marched to Downing Street. Police deployed more than 1,000 officers, warning that anyone showing support for the proscribed organization Hamas or diverting from the designated route could be arrested. Certain central London areas were covered by a Section 60AA power, which required individuals to remove items such as masks that could conceal their identity until 22:00 BST.
The event was organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, where Palestine flags and supportive posters were raised, and participants chanted. One longstanding protester, Mike, reflected on how the situation was “totally outstanding” and spoke about its injustice in North-Western London. The latest protest came a week following an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel. Palestinian militants entered communities near the Gaza Strip, taking scores of hostages, and killing at least 1,300 people.
Since Israel launched retaliatory air strikes, over 2,200 people have been killed in Gaza, and a ground offensive is under consideration. On Friday, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor of the Metropolitan Police issued a statement, stating that there had been a “massive increase” in antisemitic incidents in London since the Hamas attacks. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak denounced the rise, calling it “disgusting” and stating that intimidating or in threatening behavior would be “met with the full force of the law.” Nonetheless, he maintained that Israel had “every right to defend itself” against Hamas attacks and emphasized that civilian protection must be “paramount in our minds.”
An Israeli Embassy spokeswoman to the UK, Orly Goldschmidt, asserted that Israel was not intentionally targeting civilians but reiterated that innocent lives could tragically be lost during wartime. She maintained that her country had “no quarrel with the Palestinian people,” stressing that they were merely attempting to guard themselves against the savage actions of Hamas, which was as barbaric as ISIS, if not worse.
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