Thousands of pro-Palestine protestors have joined up in London this afternoon for the National March for Palestine.
The march, organised by the Palestine Coalition, has set off from Russell Square and has seen demonstrators call on incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to impose sanctions on Israel.
The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions on the march to prevent “serious disruption” under the Public Order Act.
According to a message on the Palestine Solidarity Campaign website, the march will “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.”
Follow along for live updates...
Thousands have turned out for pro-Palestine march
17:01 , Shaun Wilson
Thousands of pro-Palestine activists have turned out for today’s march in Central London.
Today, our national march. We the people demand:
— Claudia Webbe (@ClaudiaWebbe) July 18, 2026
Stop Bombing Iran. Hands off Gaza. Stop arming Israel. Free Palestine.
This is London, England pic.twitter.com/Q44SZQ66b3
Banners galore as protest reaches Whitehall
16:05 , Shaun Wilson
A series of colourful banners urged Andy Burnham to take a different path to Keir Starmer, with repeated allegations against Israel and calls to ‘end the genocide’
Green Party deputy leader vows to hold Burnham to account
15:44 , Shaun Wilson
Mothin Ali, a Green Party councillor on Leeds City Council and co-deputy leader of the Green Party, appeared at today’s pro-Palestine march in London and vowed to hold the new Prime Minister to account.
Cllr Ali said: “"One of the biggest reasons for Keir Starmer resigning was the fact that he was so weak on Palestine and he supported the Israeli genocide and so far the signs coming up from Andy Burnham are very similar and we're very worried about that.
"So, Andy Burnham, we're watching, we're going to make sure that we keep you held to account. Mealy-mouthed words aren't good enough. The Palestinian people are suffering the genocide and if you can't say that explicitly, then I am very worried about the future. I'm very worried about another Keir Starmer just with a different face."
Andy Burnham, we’re watching 🇵🇸
— Palestine Solidarity Campaign (@PSCupdates) July 18, 2026
Green Party Deputy Leader @MothinAli demands Andy Burnham take immediate action to end Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people. pic.twitter.com/c7r3MFO2UE
Protesters and counter demonstrators collide
14:49 , Shaun Wilson
Protesters appeared to come face to face with counters, with shouts and alleged insults.
Shouting 'babykillers' to Jews in Britain. @andyburnham said he is against antisemitism - will he speak up about this hate or try to appease it pic.twitter.com/ALXYkgBCrK
— JewishWomenCount (@jwomencount2) July 18, 2026
Small counter demo gathers at the Strand
14:37 , Shaun Wilson
A small counter demonstration has set up in The Strand while the pro-Palestine march has already reached Whitehall, where speeches will be held until 5.30pm.
Pro-Israeli Agitators Display IOF Flag at National Palestine Protest in London.
— NewsCord (@newscord_org) July 18, 2026
A number of international bodies have concluded that the IOF is committing a genocide and continues to commit war crimes across Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. pic.twitter.com/themP6Od6c
The start of the march has reached Whitehall, where speeches will take place. Conditions state they have to disperse by 17.30hrs.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) July 18, 2026
A small counter demonstration is near The Strand and officers are in attendance. pic.twitter.com/VqcaepgNFK
Activists' banners mock Starmer and Netanyahu
14:31 , Shaun Wilson
Banners in today’s pro-Palestine march derided world leaders including outgoing British PM Keir Starmer and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Thousands flock to pro-Palestine march
14:02 , Shaun Wilson
Thousands of protesters are marching shoulder to shoulder through central London as part of the ninth major pro-Palestine demonstration in the capital this year.
Marchers chant 'you can't hide' to Burnham
13:38 , Shaun Wilson
Activists are already calling out incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the march, chanting: “Andy Burnham you can’t hide. You should call it genocide.”
Andy Burnham you can’t hide
— Stop the War Coalition (@STWuk) July 18, 2026
You should call it Genocide! pic.twitter.com/lXGOB4LMcx
Protest begins with peaceful demonstration
13:05 , Shaun Wilson
The march has begun, with the beating of drums and a cascade of chants as activists set off peacefully from Russell Square.
Today London everyone with a heart is here for one thing: PALESTINE pic.twitter.com/UuHbrxUFcE
— Ali Z #HebaZagout #Hind #TomHurndall #RachelCorrie (@AliZ11066811) July 18, 2026
Protesters ready to march
12:41 , Shaun Wilson
Protesters have assembled at Russell Square, ready to march in support of Palestine.
People starting to assemble at the top of Russell Square to march for Palestine. Join us! 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/9sfYr9tbrV
— Palestine Solidarity Campaign (@PSCupdates) July 18, 2026
Protestors gather in Russell Square
11:58 , Tom Place
People have begun to gather at Russell Square ahead of today’s protest.
The march is due to leave from the area at around 12.45pm today.
We're marching for Palestine again today in London to demand the new PM take real action to pressure to end its genocide against the Palestinian people. Join us. pic.twitter.com/cTHt8azYav
— Palestine Solidarity Campaign (@PSCupdates) July 18, 2026
Corbyn calls for people to join the march
11:32 , Tom Place
Jeremy Corbyn seems set to join the demonstration in central London today.
He posted on Instagram on Friday calling on people saying to join him to “tell the new Prime Minister: end Britain’s complicity in genocide, now.“
PSC director calls for sanctions on Israel
11:00 , Tom Place
Peter Leary, deputy director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, 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 added that Mr Burnham wants to distance himself from Sir Keir Starmer’s response to Israel.
He said: “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.”
Burnham says Labour 'didn't get it right'
10:31 , Tom Place
Last week, Andy Burnham said that Labour “didn’t get it right and I am sorry about that” regarding Palestine, as he pledged to “strengthen our approach”.
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.
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.
Where is the protest taking place?
10:05 , Tom Place
The procession is set to start in Russell Square, before marching through Westminster to Whitehall, via Holborn and the Strand.
It will being at 12.45pm, and must conclude by 5.30pm.
The full route for the march can be seen here:
Thousands to march for Palestine today
09:32 , Tom Place
The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions on today’s march to prevent “serious disruption”.
The conditions have been placed on the National March for Palestine under the Public Order Act.
The march, organised by the Palestine Coalition, comes ahead of Andy Burnham becoming the new Prime Minister on Monday.
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.”
Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have taken part in previous marches.
Good morning
09:00 , Tom Place
Welcome to our live coverage of the National March for Palestine today.
We will be bringing you all the latest updates from the demonstration in central London.
