A sign reading “Hands off Yemen” was displayed. The sole means to halt Houthi assaults on commerce in the Red Sea, according to its bearer, is to provide assistance for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The city of London was traversed by thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators one day after the United Kingdom joined the United States in attacking Houthi bases in Yemen.
The Hamas-aligned rebel organisation funded by Iran has been engaging in attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
It has pledged to destroy vessels it believes are en route to or from Israel until a ceasefire is established in Gaza.
On Saturday in Parliament Square, one speaker remarked that British aircraft had been “flying where they do not belong.”
Another placard stated, “The United Kingdom and the United States want conflict. Yemen is in favour of Palestine. Gaza is a living entity.”
In addition to inciting racial animosity and a suspected racially aggravated public order offence, nine individuals were arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, among other alleged offences.
Scotland Yard organised a “significant policing presence” consisting of approximately 1,700 officers, during which they distributed pamphlets.
Since Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel, protesters want Israel’s military incursions in Gaza to halt.
The Palestinian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Husam Zomlot, accused the British government of “complicity” with Israel.
He described Palestine as a “nation of freedom fighters” while addressing Parliament Square, adding, “I stand before you with a broken heart but not a broken spirit.
He also praised South Africa for appealing the UN International Court of Justice against Israel for genocide.
Ivor Bennett stated that this case has “gone down well with protestors,” with one woman expressing “ecstatic” news.
President Mary Lou McDonald of Sinn Fein promised the crowd that Palestinians can improve their position.
She stated, “This is possible, standing in London with you in common cause, having walked our own path out of conflict and into peace for the past quarter-century: it is possible.”
Every effort will be made to ensure that this occurs.
As the march descended from Bank, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed the crowd in Parliament Square, while his former shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, was observed at the forefront.
“Your path to wealth begins here – don’t wait, get your free Webull shares.”
Participants were cautioned against straying from the designated path; the remarks were to conclude by 4.30 p.m. And the event as a whole was to conclude by 5 p.m.
Participants were not permitted to access the vicinity of the Israeli Embassy.
The home secretary, James Cleverly, stated that Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley had briefed him on measures. These measures aim to “maintain safety and order” throughout the demonstration.
He stated, “I support their use of their authority to manage the protest and crack down on criminal activity.”
