Hundreds of police officers will be deployed as a pro-Palestinian march and counter-protest are staged in central London on Saturday.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s rally is setting off from Whitehall at midday, proceeding across Vauxhall Bridge to Nine Elms where crowds are to gather near the US Embassy.
Stop The Hate UK are holding a rival demonstration on the corner of Millbank and Vauxhall Bridge to voice opposition to the PSC march.
On a busy day, Metropolitan Police officers will also be policing England’s international rugby clash against New Zealand at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, several football fixtures and a large ticketed fireworks event in Battersea Park.
Commander Adam Slonecki, who is leading the policing operation, said senior officers had engaged with organisers to minimise disruption to businesses, residents and venues along the route.
The PSC’s “March for Palestine” is calling for a full arms embargo on Israel, a year after Hamas’ murderous attacks of October 7 2023 and the Israeli’s response in Gaza.
Cmdr Slonecki added: “Ahead of the weekend we have been in regular discussions with the PSC as well as residents, partners, community groups and businesses.
“It’s a busy weekend of events across London and we have worked with organisers to seek to minimise disruption and balance the right to protest.
“Officers will be highly visible along the protest route and wider area to ensure the events take place safely and deal with any offences.”
Ben Jamal, PSC Director, said: “On Saturday hundreds of thousands will march to mark Israel’s genocide that has killed at least 41,000 Palestinians, destroyed Gaza’s social infrastructure and displaced over two million people.
“For months we have been warning that granting Israel impunity for its crimes would not only leave thousands of Palestinian civilians at risk of slaughter, but risk a wider conflagration.
“Now we stand on the brink of a major war. People will be demanding an end to UK complicity with these crimes because they want the rights of Palestinians to be respected, international law to be implemented without discrimination, and because they want peace.”
