Huge London March Demands End to Israeli Strikes on Gaza, Iran/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Hundreds of thousands of people filled central London to demonstrate against Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza and Iran, voicing solidarity with Palestinians and Iranians. Protesters waved Palestinian and Iranian flags, chanted slogans, and demanded that the UK government halt arms sales to Israel. Speakers from diverse political backgrounds emphasized that opposing these military actions is not antisemitism, and urged continued public pressure for a ceasefire.
Quick look
- Location & turnout: Protesters gathered at Russell Square and marched to Whitehall, numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
- Main messages: Demonstrators called for an end to bombing in Gaza and Iran, and urged the UK to stop supplying weapons to Israel.
- Voices from the crowd: MPs and activists underscored that opposing state violence is not antisemitic and vowed to sustain pressure for a ceasefire.
Huge London March Demands End to Israeli Strikes on Gaza, Iran
Deep look
A vast protest swept London on Saturday as demonstrators vocally condemned Israel’s military actions against Gaza and Iran. The rally began in Russell Square before progressing to Whitehall, where swathes of Palestinian and Iranian flags swayed amid chants of “Stop bombing Iran, stop bombing Gaza,” “Stop arming Israel,” and “Free Palestine.” Placards declaring “Hands off Iran” also dotted the crowd.
The gathering, featuring “hundreds of thousands” according to estimates, included activists from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Stop the War Coalition, socialist groups, and ordinary citizens showing solidarity. A robust police presence followed the route, with only a small counter-demonstration by pro-Israel supporters.
Speaker after speaker seized the moment to denounce the UK government’s posture. Independent MP Zarah Sultana called for an immediate halt to arms exports to Israel, accusing the UK of complicity in what she labeled “genocide against the Palestinian people.” Former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf urged attendees to keep raising their voices for Gaza, firmly asserting:
“Calls to end the starvation of two million people do not constitute antisemitism. Calls for the end of genocide do not constitute antisemitism.”
Yousaf also condemned Israel’s military actions against Iran, emphasizing the need to speak out.
The backdrop to the protest was the dramatic escalation that began June 13, when Israel struck multiple military and nuclear sites in Iran. Iran retaliated with missile strikes. According to Israeli officials, at least 25 people were killed and hundreds injured in Iran, while the Iranian Health Ministry reported around 430 dead and over 3,500 wounded in Iran due to Israel’s campaign.
The protest also highlighted the broader humanitarian toll of Israel’s operations in Gaza. Since October 2023, more than 55,900 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed in Gaza, according to UN-linked sources. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes. Israel is meanwhile facing a genocide lawsuit at the International Court of Justice.
Organizers and participants demanded a ceasefire and decried what they see as muted or inadequate responses from Western governments. The mass turnout and mobilization in London reflect heightened global scrutiny of the conflict and its far-reaching humanitarian consequences.
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