Thousands march to mark two years of Gaza conflict

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestine protesters gathered in central London yesterday for a march to mark two years of the war in Gaza.

- HOLLY EVANS

Arrests were made after a clash with counterprotesters, while several people carrying placards that read "We stand with Britain's Jews" were removed from the crowd.

Stalls were selling keffiyehs and outside Embankment station people were handing out placards that read "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free", "it's not a crime to act against genocide", and "Starmer has blood on his hands, free Palestine".

The demonstration came as thousands of Palestinians began returning to their homes in Gaza following the withdrawal of Israeli forces after a US-brokered ceasefire came into effect on Friday.

A counterprotest, organised by Stop The Hate, was also taking place yesterday, at the junction of Aldwych and the Strand.

In a post on X (Twitter), police said a "small group" of counterprotesters had breached conditions by demonstrating at the form-up area of the pro-Palestine march, leading to a "scuffle between several individuals from the two groups". Officers separated those involved and made a "small number of arrests".