Massive pro-Palestinian rally draws crowds in London

Tens of thousands of people gathered in central London for a pro-Palestinian march organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). The main objective of the march was to demand an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. This protest marked the first time since October that a demonstration has taken place near the Israeli embassy in west London. Around 1,500 police officers were deployed to ensure the safety and peacefulness of the protest. The atmosphere remained calm overall, but six individuals were arrested in connection with various offenses, including assaulting an emergency worker, supporting a proscribed organization, inciting racial hatred, and carrying an antisemitic placard. Two others were arrested for refusing to remove face coverings. The march commenced at Marble Arch, where tens of thousands of demonstrators assembled. Many participants described it as one of the busiest marches they have attended. The PSC criticized both the government and Labour for their failure to call for an immediate ceasefire, stating that Israel is facing growing pressure from world leaders. This demonstration near the Israeli embassy had not taken place since a protest shortly after the Hamas attacks on Israel in early October. The police deliberately set limits on the march's start time to ensure it would not coincide with an event happening at a nearby synagogue. The march proceeded along Park Lane, Knightsbridge, and Kensington Road, reaching the vicinity of the Israeli embassy in Kensington where speeches were held. Police instructed protesters to conclude the march by 17:00 GMT and leave by 18:00. They established barriers to keep the demonstrators more than 100 meters away from the embassy grounds. Cdr Kyle Gordon appealed to the marchers to abide by the law, emphasizing previous acts of offenses involving placards and hate speech at prior protests. Similar protests also occurred in Sydney and Istanbul. Israel initiated its military offensive in response to Hamas fighters breaching the Israeli border in early October, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Around 250 individuals were taken hostage and brought back to Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 28,600 people, mainly women and children, have been killed in Israel's campaign. Israel's objective is to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of the hostages. Calls have been made for Israel to refrain from deploying ground forces in Rafah, a region in southern Gaza near the Egyptian border. Many Palestinians have sought refuge there after their homes were impacted by the conflict. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has urged for a pause in the fighting to provide aid and secure the release of hostages, as well as achieve a sustainable ceasefire. Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron stated that the government supports a movement from a pause to a sustainable ceasefire, ultimately leading to a long-term political solution that includes the establishment of a Palestinian state. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer expressed the desire for a ceasefire in Gaza but stopped short of demanding an immediate one. In a statement at the Munich Security Conference, Starmer emphasized the need to end the fighting and prevent an assault on Rafah. However, Scottish Labour has passed a motion demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.