LONDON: Two major demonstrations were held in the British capital on Friday, prompting an unusually high security presence across the city, authorities said.
According to international media, the first large-scale rally was the pro-Palestinian “Nakba Day March,” attended by thousands of people protesting Israeli military actions.
Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and placards calling for an end to Israeli strikes, as well as demands for basic rights for Palestinians.
The protest marked Nakba Day, observed annually to remember the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948.
An anti-fascist group also merged its separate rally with the pro-Palestinian march during the demonstration.
Protesters called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the establishment of a Palestinian state, and an end to British support for Israel.
One participant, Sharon De Witt, said Israel’s actions were “unjustifiable,” adding that Palestinians must be granted the right to their own state. Another attendee, Ali Haider, said the British society was becoming increasingly divided, stressing messages of “peace, hope and unity.”
The Metropolitan Police deployed more than 4,000 officers, including reinforcements from outside London, to maintain order.
Authorities also used armoured vehicles, mounted units, drones, police dogs and helicopters in what was described as one of the largest public order operations in recent years.
For the first time, police also used live facial recognition technology during the protests. Organisers were legally required to ensure that invited speakers avoided hate speech.
The demonstrations came a day after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that strict action would be taken against any disorder or threatening behaviour on the streets.
