MPs and peers have urged the Metropolitan Police commissioner to retract his “baseless” remarks about Palestine solidarity protests in a letter today.

Sir Mark Rowley had said that this weekend’s march in central London to mark the anniversary of the Nakba and oppose the ongoing genocide in Gaza “feels like antisemitism” as they “set out with intent to march near synagogues.”

Protest organisers have rejected the claim, pointing out that their first and second route suggestions, which were refused because of the far-right demonstration, did not pass any such sites.

The letter, led by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, has been signed by 32 cross-party MPs and four peers.

It reads: “It is totally unacceptable for a commissioner to make these baseless claims, which malign a mass movement standing up for peace and humanity.

“It… contributes to a climate of division, distrust and fear.

“As we write this, the UK government is still supplying arms to a government that continues to bomb, starve and dispossess Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

“That is why we continue to demonstrate — and that is why our right to do so must be defended.”