Demonstrators Call for Sanctions on Israel as New Labour Leader Prepares to Take Office
LONDON, U.K. — Tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected to gather in central London on Saturday for a major pro-Palestinian march aimed at pressuring incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to adopt a tougher stance on Israel and Britain’s relationship with the Israeli government.
The National March for Palestine, organized by a coalition of Palestinian solidarity groups and anti-war organizations, comes just days after Burnham was confirmed as leader of the Labour Party and ahead of his formal assumption of office as Prime Minister. Organizers say the demonstration will focus on demands for Britain to take stronger action in response to Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.
The event also coincides with the second anniversary of a July 2024 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which found Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem to be unlawful and concluded that Israel had violated international prohibitions on racial segregation and apartheid.
Burnham Signals Policy Shift Following Labour Leadership Change
The march follows recent comments from Burnham acknowledging criticism of Labour’s response to the conflict in Gaza under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a social media statement issued ahead of taking office, Burnham said Labour “didn’t get it right” in its early response to Israel’s military campaign and suggested his government would seek to increase pressure on Israel through additional sanctions targeting individuals and organizations. He also indicated that restrictions on trade involving goods produced in Israeli settlements could be considered.
Political analysts view the comments as part of a broader effort by Burnham to reconnect with progressive voters who have drifted away from Labour in recent years.
According to an Opinium poll commissioned by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) in June, more than half of former Labour supporters who switched their support to parties such as the Greens, Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and independent candidates cited Labour’s position on Gaza as a contributing factor in their decision.
Campaigners Say Government Must Go Further
Despite welcoming what they view as a partial change in tone, Palestinian rights campaigners argue that Burnham’s proposed measures fall short of what is required.
Critics point to Burnham’s refusal to characterize events in Gaza as genocide, instead stating that possible war crimes should be determined by international courts. Campaign groups contend that governments have legal obligations under international conventions to act when there is a serious risk of genocide occurring.
Campaigners also argue that Britain has failed to adequately respond to international legal findings concerning Israel’s occupation and settlement policies.
The ICJ ruling issued in July 2024 stated that other countries should avoid actions that support or assist violations of international law linked to the occupation. Organizers of Saturday’s demonstration say the United Kingdom has yet to provide a formal response to that judgment.
Demonstrators Demand Arms Embargo and Trade Restrictions
Organizers say march participants will call on the new government to impose comprehensive sanctions on Israel, including a full arms embargo and restrictions on trade connected to Israeli settlements.
Peter Leary, Deputy Director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said public pressure would continue until more substantial policy changes are implemented.
“On Friday, Andy Burnham was confirmed as the next Prime Minister. Last week, he had to apologise and admit that the government got it wrong. We didn’t need him to tell us because we have always known that it was the people, the millions who have steadfastly stood with Palestine, who got it right.
Burnham clearly wants to distance himself from Keir Starmer’s shameful support for Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, but his statement remains totally inadequate. If he really intends to break with Starmer’s disgraceful legacy, he must start by imposing wide ranging sanctions against Israel including a full arms embargo and a total ban on all trade that aids or assists Israel’s violations of international law.
Mass pressure by our solidarity movement has forced this apology. It is clear that only ongoing action will deliver real change.”
March Route and Coalition Support
The National March for Palestine is scheduled to depart from Russell Square at 12:30 p.m., with a rally planned in Whitehall beginning at 2:30 p.m.
The demonstration is being supported by a coalition of organizations including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of Al Aqsa and Palestine Forum in Britain.
Organizers expect the event to be one of the largest pro-Palestinian demonstrations held in London this year, reflecting continued public debate over Britain’s foreign policy and the government’s response to developments in Gaza and the wider Middle East conflict.