LONDON
A massive rally was held in London on Saturday to protest Israeli attacks and demand an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
Thousands of protesters gathered at Parliament Square to voice solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where more than 34,300 people have been killed by Israeli attacks since Oct. 7.
Massive rally in London demands immediate cease-fire in Gaza Strip and protests against Israeli attacks… pic.twitter.com/ElYQ0pNcJD
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) April 27, 2024
Carrying Palestinian flags, the protesters called for an immediate cease-fire in the besieged Palestinian enclave and criticized the British government’s stance on Israel.
“Free Palestine,” “Stop the genocide” and “Rishi Sunak, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide,” were some of the many slogans chanted by pro-Palestine protesters during the march that continued toward Hyde Park.
They also criticized Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party for his stance on Israel.
Protesters from various anti-Israel Jewish groups were among the participants in the rally.
Along the march route, a group of pro-Israeli protesters also staged a demonstration, while some pro-Palestine Jewish protesters were carrying banners, that read: “I am openly Jewish and against genocide.”
Speaking to Anadolu, Jude Bliss, a 39-year-old protester, said that it is important to show solidarity with Gazans and the Palestinian people.
“What’s happening right now is a genocide,” he said, adding that ongoing arms supply to Israel from the US and the UK is “outrageous,” as these are “killing tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and especially children.”
Bliss called on the British government to “immediately suspend” the provision of arms and financing to “Israel’s war machine.”
Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, and Michelle O’Neill, the first minister of Northern Ireland, were among the attendees at the rally.
Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since the Hamas incursion, which Tel Aviv says killed nearly 1,200 people. At least 34,388 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, besides causing mass destruction, displacement and severe shortages of necessities.
Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide, and guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.
