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The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions on a huge pro-Palestine march in central London on Saturday to prevent “serious disruption”.
Conditions have been placed on the National March for Palestine under the Public Order Act.
The march is being organised by the Palestine Coalition ahead of Andy Burnham becoming the new Prime Minister on Monday.
Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters are expected to gather to call on Mr Burnham to impose sanctions on Israel.
One of the organisers, Palestine Solidarity Campaign said it wanted to “send a powerful message to the next Prime Minister to stand up for Palestine and take all possible action, including sanctions, to end Israel’s genocide.”
Protesters march along Whitehall during a national march for Palestine on January 31GettyThe procession will form up in Russell Square, Camden and march through Westminster to Whitehall, via Holborn and the Strand.
It will start at 12.45hrs and must conclude by 5.30pm, the police have said.
Anyone gathering ahead of the demonstration must remain in the shaded area of the map below until the procession starts at 12.45pm.
They must have left the site by 1pm, the Met said.
Conditions have been placed on the demonstration organised by the Palestine Coalition, including members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and other groups. Anyone gathering ahead of the demonstration must remain in the shaded area of the map below until the procession starts at 12.45hrs. They must have left the site by 13.00hrs. Met Police Anyone participating in the march must follow the specified route below.
The March for Palestine Map routeMet Police There will be an assembly in Whitehall where speeches will take place. Attendees must remain in the shaded area below. The assembly must conclude by 5.30pm, the Met said.
Where protesters must remain during the assembly in Whitehall.The Metropolitan PoliceTens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have taken part in previous marches.
Peter Leary, PSC deputy director, said: “On Friday, Andy Burnham was confirmed as the next prime minister.
“Last week, he had to apologise and admit that the Government got it wrong.
“We didn’t need him to tell us because we have always known that it was the people, the millions who have steadfastly stood with Palestine, who got it right.”
Mr Leary said Mr Burnham wants to distance himself from Sir Keir Starmer’s response to Israel, adding: “If he really intends to break with Starmer’s disgraceful legacy, he must start by imposing wide-ranging sanctions against Israel including a full arms embargo and a total ban on all trade that aids or assists Israel’s violations of international law.
“Mass pressure by our solidarity movement has forced this apology. It is clear that only ongoing action will deliver real change.”
Mr Burnham said last week “my party didn’t get it right and I am sorry about that” as he pledged to “strengthen our approach”.
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The Makerfield MP said the UK was too slow to call for a ceasefire and should look at further sanctions.
Mr Burnham, in his video posted to social media, called for “measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements”.
He said the UK should be “clear in our criticism of what has happened in Gaza”, while also condemning Hamas’s attack on October 7 2023 and subsequent acts of antisemitic violence in Britain.
But he stopped short of accusing Israel of perpetrating a genocide against Palestinians, as some Labour MPs have.
Mr Burnham said there was “increasing evidence that war crimes appear to have been committed”, but added it was ultimately a matter for international courts rather than politicians to determine.
Labour’s initial response to Israel’s military action in Gaza, including resisting demands to call for an immediate ceasefire, drew strong criticism from some of the party’s supporters, with the issue driving a significant shift of particularly younger voters towards the Green Party.