Defiant students protest on anniversary of Hamas attack

Thousands of students staged pro-Palestinian protests around the UK on the second anniversary of Hamas's deadly raids on Israel and days after two people were killed at a synagogue in Manchester.

- JANE DALTON HOLLY EVANS

Demonstrators in London, Sheffield and Edinburgh defied calls to call off their action out of respect for the Jewish community following Thursday's knife attack.

They rejected the prime minister's claim that holding demonstrations so soon was “un-British”, instead chanting slogans of solidarity with Palestinians. Sir Keir Starmer had said the timing of the protests showed “little respect for others”.

Hundreds of students gathered outside King's College London near the Strand, where demonstrators wearing keffiyeh scarves and face masks unfurled a banner with the names of Palestinians killed in the conflict.

Outside the London School of Economics chants of “Palestine will be free” and the political slogan “From the river to the sea” were heard.

Haya Adam, president of the Palestine Society, told crowds: “We will continue to honour each and every one of our martyrs. Students are rising up for Palestine.”