More than 250,000 protesters flooded streets across Britain on Saturday, demanding an immediate end to Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.

The mobilization, the 30th national protest since Israel’s assault began in October 2023, marked the largest coordinated pro-Palestinian action in UK history. Demonstrators gathered in cities and towns nationwide, carrying Palestinian flags and placards reading “Stop Arming Genocide” and “Starmer: Blood on Your Hands”, while chanting calls for justice, liberation, and an end to Britain’s military and political support for the occupation.

Calls for UK to End Complicity

Protesters urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to immediately halt all arms sales to Israel, sever military and intelligence cooperation, and back the prosecution of Israeli leaders for war crimes.

In a powerful recorded address from Gaza, Palestinian journalist Ahmad Naouq described the unbearable reality of life under siege: “Hundreds die every day — in food queues, tents, hospitals, mosques, and churches. They are starved, bombed day and night for 21 months. Sir Keir Starmer is watching, sending spy flights, filming the carnage, and still sending weapons. Shame on him. Shame on all killing people in Gaza. Why is Palestinian blood spillable? Why are our children killable?”

The crowd erupted in applause, vowing to keep up the pressure until Britain ends all forms of support for Israel’s war machine.

Starvation, Medical Collapse Highlight Siege’s Brutality

Adnan Hamidan, acting chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB), warned that limited aid shipments being shown in the media are a smokescreen to mask the humanitarian catastrophe.

“Yes, some sugar and cheese have made it in — at prices no family can pay,” he said. “Children have been without milk for six months. Diabetic and heart patients have gone months without medicine. This is not aid — this is cruelty disguised as charity.”

According to Gaza’s health authorities, more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 150,000 wounded since Israel launched its assault in October 2023, with starvation and disease claiming more lives every day under the continuing blockade.

A Movement Rooted in Decades of Resistance

Saturday’s protest was not only a reaction to recent atrocities, but the product of decades of Palestinian solidarity activism in the UK — now amplified by the sheer scale of destruction in Gaza. Organizers emphasized that this was not a symbolic gathering but a direct demand for the UK to stop aiding genocide.

“History is being written,” one speaker told the London crowd. “And we refuse to be on the wrong side.”

Escalating Public Pressure

The demonstration concluded with renewed calls for boycotts, divestment, sanctions, and sustained political organizing. Activists pledged to continue weekly mobilizations until Gaza’s siege is lifted and international law is enforced.

Saturday’s historic turnout sent a clear message to Westminster: the British public will not be silent while their government enables war crimes. (ILKHA)