London: 100,000 march for peace in Gaza

About 100,000 people took part in the latest national demonstration in London on Saturday, calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza.

Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist campaigners joined many secular groups appealing for the British government to stop selling weapons to Israel, restart funding for UNRWA and seek peace.

This latest protest came after the local health authorities and aid agencies confirmed that at least 38,098 Palestinians have been killed and 87,705 others injured since Israel's military offensive in Gaza began on 7 October. Dozens more have been killed in the Occupied West Bank.

Marchers gathered in Russell Square and walked down to a rally outside Portcullis House where they heard speeches from newly-elected MPs and other human rights campaigners, who all appealed for the new British government to use its influence to bring peace and justice to Gaza and the West Bank. One by one they called for an end to the supply of weapons and military support to Israel, the resumption of urgent humanitarian aid to the region and the recognition of the Palestinian state.

Jeremy Corbyn, now an independent MP for Islington North said: "Palestine was on the ballot in this election - and I promise to stay true to my word to stand up for the Palestinian people.

"We said it to the Tories, and now we will say it to Labour: a government that sells arms to Israel is a government that is complicit in crimes against humanity. A change in government doesn't change the facts that the people of Gaza are still being murdered in their sleep. And it doesn't change the fact that there is only one path to a just and lasting peace: an end to the occupation of Palestine."

Andrew Feinstein, who served in Nelson Mandela's first government and stood against Starmer in the general election, quoted Mandela who said after his visit to Israel and Palestine, that the Apartheid system he saw there was worse than he had seen in South Africa. In 1997 Mandela said: "We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."

Feinstein said: "You have won the election but you have not won the hearts and minds of the people … ignore us you will not be there for long."

One member of Pax Christi told ICN: "On their first day in office this new government announced that they were cancelling the plan to send migrants to Rwanda. That's wonderful. I'm hoping and praying that they will listen to the people; act quickly to stop the horrors that are taking place in the Holy Land; and start to bring healing to the land where Jesus walked."

This was the 16th national demonstration for peace in Gaza in London. See the links below for more information about upcoming events.

LINKS

Christians for Palestine: https://christiansforpalestine.com/

Westminster Justice and Peace: https://westminsterjusticeandpeace.org/

Palestine Campaign: https://palestinecampaign.org/