مسيرة مليونية من أجل فلسطين، الأكبر على الإطلاق في لندن

The capital of the United Kingdom witnessed its largest pro-Palestinian demonstration in UK history since the illegal invasion of Iraq (2003), as over one million protesters flooded the streets of London on Saturday, Nov. 11. The demonstration was a show of solidarity with Palestine, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Protesters have been taking to the streets each week since Oct. 7, against Israel's genocidal war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.  Each week’s march has seen a significant increase in size, from 150,000 on October 15 to 300,000 on October 21, then half a million on October 28, and now, reportedly,  over one million people in London showing their solidarity with the people of Gaza. 

This comes despite escalating repression and anti-Palestinian stances from British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, to the recently-sacked Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, and the leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer. Braverman had come under fire for enabling violence from far-right thugs at the Cenotaph, as the Nov. 11 march coincided with Armistice Day. 

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Sunak — whose family has substantial financial ties to the Israeli regime —  dismissed Braverman from her position after she published an article in The Times without his approval. In the article, Braverman accused the London police of favoring pro-Palestinian protesters. Her removal was Sunak’s weak attempt to reinforce leadership after many (including police officials) reprimanded Braverman’s harsh and divisive comments. Sunak recently visited Occupied Palestine, days after the Al-Ahli (Baptist) hospital massacre, where he told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “We want you to win.”

Since the weekly protests in London began, Braverman’s stance had become increasingly fearmongering and intimidating towards pro-Palestinian voices, describing the peaceful marches as “hate marches.” She also called for the outlawing of slogans such as ‘from the river to the sea’ and even attempted to persuade the Metropolitan Police to deem the flying of the Palestinian flag as illegal. She called for ‘further action’ against pro-Palesintian marches under the pretense (read: weaponization) of anti-semitism.. It comes as no surprise that Braverman, – who has ‘close family members’ in the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), and whose husband is a self-declared ‘proud Zioinist’ — would call for such repression of freedom and not call for a ceasefire. Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has also taken a pro-Israeli stance, having said that ‘a ceasefire would negate Israel’s right to defend itself,’ clearly indicating the position of the UK. Starmer — who has advocated for the Israeli regime to cut off water and electricity to Palestinians in Gaza – also has ties to the Zionist entity through his wife’s family. 

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Such fragrant and outright support for the genocidal campaign against Gaza shows the UK’s complicity in the war crimes being committed. In an attempt to hold Western leaders accountable,, the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians wrote to Sunak, informing him of their intention to prosecute UK government officials for complicity in Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

However, the UK’s complicity in the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians should come as no surprise, as the UK was the country that paved the way for the establishment of the Zionist settler colonial entity and Occupation through the Balfour Declaration. The government’s unwavering support for ‘Israel's right to defend itself’ in today’s context can be seen as the continued alliance between the brutality of both British imperialism and Zionist colonialism. 

Meanwhile, on UK campuses, there have been direct implications for showing support for Palestine, in an active campaign of repressing pro-Palestinian voices. London’s SOAS University of London — a university which supposedly prides itself in its “expertise in the Middle East, Africa and Asia and its decolonial outlook” — has suspended six students, part of the SOAS Palestine Society, following their solidarity rally. This incident highlights the widespread repression of student and pro-Palestinian voices across UK universities and institutions. SOAS – along with other UK universities — has yet to reassure Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students of their safety during a time in which anti-Palestinian and Islamaphobic attacks are on the rise. 

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This is not the first time that UK institutions have shown their true colors. Back in February of 2022, SOAS students were forcibly removed for participating in sit-ins in protest over SOAS’ ties with Israel’s Haifa University. Similarly, back in 2021, LSE students were faced with silence by management after protesting the visit of the Zionist regime’s ambassador. In the last few years, ongoing efforts from activists — most notably Apartheid Off Campus —have pressured UK universities to end their ties with Israel. It was only a few months ago that the anti-boycott bill was introduced — a clear attack on freedom of expression and the space to show solidarity with the Palestinian people. These attacks reveal a state that is increasingly draconian and suppressive. 

Despite the repression of Palestinian voices on UK campuses, overwhelming support and solidarity for Palestine and Gaza continues, with over 5,000 signatures calling for the reinstatement of the four suspended students, with signatories including both students and instructors. Moreover, the University College Union has also called for an immediate ceasefire.  

Since the historical national march took place, with a rally outside the Houses of Parliament demanding MPs vote for a ceasefire, the majority of MPs voted against the Scottish National Party’s amendment to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, once again highlighting the UK government's support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza. However, no matter how much the  UK government expresses its support for Israel, it will never represent the masses of people who take to the streets to make their stance known.

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Various actions and protests have since taken place. On Nov. 24 students, workers, and all sectors of society across Britain joined the international call for shutdown by participating in a national walkout calling on institutions to demand an immediate ceasefire and to end support for Israel’s occupation and genocide of the Palestinian people. Students from universities across London including SOAS, UCL, KCL, and LSE joined the walkouts marching to Keir Starmer’s office — which was closed — and to Camden Council. Meanwhile, the latest mass demonstration was on Nov. 25 when over 300,000 protestors took to the streets demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Students continue to organize as management and institutions continue to ignore and silence their demands — the latest action will take place on Nov. 29, coinciding with the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people. 

Despite their government and institutions' unwavering support for the Israeli occupation, UK citizens continue to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination and resistance against oppression.