London: Over 100,000 in march for Palestine

On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Saturday, more than 100,000 people marched in London to demand an end to Israel's genocide, military occupation and apartheid against Palestinians.

This time, the Quaker Witness group led silent worship with the Christians for Palestine at the London Jesuit Centre in Mayfair, before setting out to join the national march via Pall Mall, the Haymarket and Trafalgar Square to Number 10. It was a damp chilly day.

Canon Pat Browne from the Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster said: "I was very happy to join the Quaker group for the March on Saturday. Their quiet but persistent prayerful presence at these marches is a powerful witness to their care for the people of Gaza."

Rev Sam Fletcher, an Anglican priest in the Diocese of Exeter who attended said: "We were so grateful to be with the Quakers, who have been unwavering in their commitment to peace, justice and solidarity with Palestine, even when many churches and religious groups have been reluctant to speak out."

A number of speakers addressed the crowds from a platform in Whitehall, outside Downing Street. Among them was Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, Labour MP, Bel Ribeiro-Addy, Author Peter Obourne, actor Denise Gough, and Palestinian campaigner Hala Hanini.

Peter Oborne condemned the ceasefire deal signed by PM Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, pointing to the continued killing of Palestinians. More than 300 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October. Oborne also criticised rising settler violence in the West Bank, citing UK exports to Israel as enabling the settler project. He defended the right to protest amid harsher UK government crackdowns on Palestine Action and other pro-Palestinian groups, describing activists as "the best of the best" who are exercising basic British values of "fairness, decency, support for the underdog" and "support for international law".

Chris Nineham, Deputy Chair of the Stop the War Coalition told the crowds: "Netanyahu should be tried for war crimes and polls show 65% of the population agree."

Stephen Kapos, who marched with a group of Holocaust survivors and their relatives told Middle East Eye: "As a child survivor of the Holocaust I am particularly offended when the Holocaust is used as a justification for impunity by the Israeli state. We are out here as Holocaust survivors to undermine those lies and distortions..... I'm protesting because despite the fake ceasefire and peace deal actually the holocaust and genocide and ethnic cleansing is continuing, and as longs this goes on and there isn't a just outcome for the Palestine people we will keep coming out to support them."

A Christmas song for Palestine: Lullaby, with Nineh Cherry, Celeste, Nadine Shah, Brian Eno and others was played at the demonstration. It will be released on 12 December to raise funds for Palestinian charities. Supporters are being asked to pre-order it from the following link to help it reach the Christmas Number One. It costs just £1.98. See: https://togetherforpalestine.org/

On Saturday there were also marches and vigils around the country, including Norwich, Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham.