Overview
- The Metropolitan Police imposed Public Order Act conditions, fixing assembly points and a set route from Victoria Embankment to a rally in Whitehall.
- Officers kept rival groups apart, removed several pro‑Jewish counter‑protesters from the main crowd, and made a small number of arrests after a breach that led to a brief scuffle.
- The event was the 32nd national pro‑Palestine demonstration since 2023, with chants such as 'from the river to the sea' drawing government scrutiny and talk of limits on certain slogans.
- Ministers have signalled plans to expand police powers by allowing the 'cumulative impact' of repeat protests to be considered, though the law remains unchanged for now.
- The march took place a day after a US‑brokered Israel‑Hamas ceasefire began with hostage‑for‑prisoner exchanges and increased aid access, and followed two arrests at a separate Downing Street event earlier in the week.