Tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected to gather in central London on Saturday, October 10, for a major pro-Palestinian march marking the third anniversary of the war in Gaza and calling for stronger British government action against Israel.
The demonstration, organized by a coalition of Palestinian solidarity organizations, will be the 37th National March for Palestine since October 2023. Organizers are demanding comprehensive sanctions, an end to military trade with Israel and greater accountability for alleged violations of international law.
The march comes amid renewed political debate in Britain over its response to the conflict, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank.
Campaigners Highlight Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
Organizers say the demonstration will draw attention to the scale of Palestinian casualties, displacement and infrastructure destruction over the past three years.
According to figures cited in the campaign’s announcement, at least 74,000 Palestinians, including more than 21,000 children, have been killed since October 2023, while at least 175,000 people have been injured.
The organizers also claim that 82% of Gaza’s structures have been destroyed and approximately 90% of its population has experienced displacement, often repeatedly. These figures were not independently verified for this report.
Campaigners further allege that more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since a ceasefire agreement took effect last year. They argue that continuing violence and developments in the occupied West Bank demonstrate the need for stronger international intervention.
British Government Faces Pressure Over Israel Policy
The planned demonstration follows statements attributed by organizers to British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband concerning the government’s position on Israel and Palestinian rights.
According to the campaign announcement, Miliband acknowledged that millions of people who protested Britain’s approach to Gaza “were right” and indicated support for stronger measures addressing Israeli settlement activity.
The release also describes a government led by Andy Burnham and refers to changes in Britain’s political leadership. Those claims require independent confirmation before publication.
Organizers say the proposed measures include sanctions targeting trade involving Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
However, Palestinian solidarity groups argue that restrictions on settlement-related trade would not adequately address their concerns about Britain’s broader commercial and military relationships with Israel.
Campaigners Demand Comprehensive Sanctions and Arms Embargo
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) is calling for a complete two-way arms embargo and wider economic sanctions.
Campaigners maintain that Britain must take additional steps to meet its obligations under international law, including preventing assistance that could contribute to unlawful activities.
The characterization of Israel’s military operations in Gaza as genocide remains politically contested. Israel rejects allegations of genocide, while Palestinian rights organizations and some international investigators have argued that its actions meet the relevant legal criteria.
Palestine Solidarity Campaign Pledges Continued Demonstrations
Peter Leary, deputy director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said public demonstrations had helped challenge Britain’s political approach to the conflict.
“Ed Miliband’s recent statements show that mass pressure works. Three years ago, the entire British political establishment stood full square behind Israel’s genocide in Gaza. For three years the Palestinian people have withstood almost unimaginable horrors. Millions of us have taken to the streets and faced down attempts to silence, demonise, and even criminalise those speaking out for Palestinian rights. Through mass, grassroots pressure, our movement has begun to break through that political consensus.
Huge numbers will take to the streets on Saturday, not just to mark this horrific milestone, but because while the recent announcements are overdue, they fall far short of meeting Britain’s international legal obligations to end all support for Israel’s apartheid, illegal occupation, genocide and other crimes. We will continue to mobilise in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their ongoing struggle for freedom and justice.”
London March Route and Participating Organizations
Organizers have scheduled the procession to depart from Embankment at 12:30 p.m. local time, followed by a rally in Whitehall beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Incoming PSC director Aimee Shalan is expected to address participants.
The organizing coalition includes the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of Al Aqsa and Palestinian Forum in Britain.
The demonstration is expected to reinforce calls for diplomatic, economic and military policy changes as campaigners seek to maintain public attention on Gaza and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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