Thousands gathered in central London on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of a deadly attack in Israel with a large demonstration organized by the Palestine Coalition. The march, which drew an estimated 250,000 participants according to organizers, proceeded along a route from Embankment to Whitehall, concluding shortly before 5 p.m. with a rally featuring several speakers, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The Metropolitan Police imposed specific conditions on the event aimed at minimizing disruption to local communities. Officers were authorized under the Public Order Act to require the removal of face coverings if they believed individuals were concealing their identity to intimidate or commit offenses. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin emphasized that while some mask-wearing would be assessed on a case-by-case basis, groups refusing to comply could face arrest.

“We know Saturday’s event, so close to the third anniversary of the terror attack on Israel, has the potential to have a greater impact on communities than the previous national marches,” Galvin said. Police were actively enforcing rules against masked faces in the protest area to prevent any escalation.

The Palestine Coalition, which coordinated the demonstration, includes organizations such as the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War, CND, the Muslim Association of Britain, Friends of Al Aqsa, and the Palestinian Forum in Britain. The coalition called for international pressure and sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Jeremy Corbyn, addressing the crowd, attributed recent government sanctions on illegal settlements to ongoing public demonstrations.

In addition to the main march in London, thousands participated in a national Palestine march in Edinburgh on Friday. The Scottish event culminated in a rally outside the Scottish Parliament, where speakers addressed attendees amid information stalls set up on the lawn.

A counter-protest took place near the Metropolitan Police headquarters in London under similarly strict conditions. Participants were required to remain within a designated area, with the assembly ending by mid-afternoon. Police stated that these measures were intended to reduce the risk of serious disruptions.

Authorities stressed the importance of maintaining peace and public safety amid heightened tensions surrounding the anniversary of the 2023 attack in Israel, balancing the right to protest with the need to protect local communities.