Over 500,000 People In London Held A Protest For Gaza Despite The Ceasefire To Call For A Lasting Peace
“We’re not going to allow Israel to be re-normalized. The genocide may for now have ended. The system of apartheid and racist oppression has not,”
Hundreds of thousands of people marched in the UK's capital London for lasting peace in Gaza, a day after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect .
On Saturday, Oct. 11, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) held a protest to call for the UK government to end its complicity in Israel’s genocide and war crimes against Palestinians and advocate for a lasting ceasefire.
The coalition said that Trump’s peace plan does not guarantee an end to Israel’s system of oppression and apartheid against Palestinians and demanded a plan to ensure Palestinians fundamental rights.
“We’re not going to allow Israel to be re-normalized. The genocide may for now have ended. The system of apartheid and racist oppression has not,” PSC director Ben Jamal said.
The group said some 600,000 people joined the march, which started at Victoria Embankment and ended outside the prime minister’s home at Downing Street.
Protesters passed over famous London landmarks such as Westminster Bridge while holding Palestine flags and dozens of placards that read “Stop Starving Gaza”, as they chanted “stop arming Israel” and “free Palestine”.
Local police arrested at least 14 people, who they said were causing public disorder, according to the BBC.
Hamas and Israel have only agreed to the first phase of the ceasefire deal, which includes the release of Palestinian and Israeli hostages, the entry of humanitarian aid and the retreat of the Israeli military.
On Oct. 13, US president Donald Trump and the leaders of Egypt, Turkey and Qatar signed a document formalizing the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal and committing to “lasting peace” after two years of Israel’s genocide.
The summit also allowed world leaders to reportedly discuss the second phase of the ceasefire deal, which could include the demilitarization, deradicalization and reconstruction of Gaza.
Sofia Hou
Sofia Hou
Kassy Cho
