HUNDREDS of thousands of protesters will rally in central London tomorrow as calls for an end to Britain’s export of arms to Israel and a ceasefire in Gaza persist.
Protesters, including those travelling from across the country, will assemble at Parliament Square for noon and march to Hyde Park, where a rally will be held.
Weekly demonstrations have been taking place across Britain since Israel’s bombardment of Gaza began following October 7, with activists demanding action from ministers and MPs from both main parties, as well as local government authorities involved in dealings with Israel.
Action groups have also targeted weapons manufacturing companies to stop the supply of arms to Israel as well as firms with financial links to the illegal occupation, including banking giant Barclays.
Organisers of the weekly protests have said they are redoubling their efforts to mobilise following attempts by government ministers and pro-Israel lobbyists to defame the movement.
More than 34,000 people — 14,000 of them children — have been killed in Gaza and thousands more remain missing while famine is imminent for half of the strip’s 2.2 million people facing food insecurity.
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), one of the groups organising tomorrow’s protest, warned that the risk of Israel’s war on Gaza escalating into a regional nuclear conflict has increased in recent weeks.
CND general secretary Kate Hudson said: “This is a terrible scenario, but while doing all we can to reduce this risk, we must keep focused on what is happening in Gaza: famine, the uncovering of mass graves, and a death toll that has now exceeded 34,000 men, women, and children.
“Despite concentrated efforts to dismiss and discredit the voices calling for a ceasefire, the global peace movement is growing.
“In workplaces, on university campuses, and on the streets of towns and cities, no matter how big or small.
“We will keep up this pressure as long as necessary — building on our demonstrations, workplace action, political lobbying and raising awareness of the urgency of bringing a just peace to Palestine.”
Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) director Ben Jamal said the movement for solidarity with Palestinians “continues to grow in strength, both globally and in the UK.”
He said: “This is a march fuelled by love for the principle of the dignity and rights of all human beings, and opposition to Israel’s violation of those rights through its genocidal assault upon the people of Gaza, and to the UK’s complicit support for Israel’s actions.
“As mass graves of Palestinians are uncovered in Gaza, the call for an immediate ceasefire and for an end to weapons sales to Israel is now supported across the political mainstream and by huge swathes of the British public.
“Those marching know that they are on the right side of history.”
Tomorrow’s march will be attended by a range of groups including trade unions, medical professionals, students and an organised Jewish bloc.
Speakers will include TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust, NEU president Emma Rose, author Gary Younge, Irish MEP Clare Daly and Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos.
Other protests are expected in towns and cities across Britain.
