Over 100,000 people from across the UK assembled in London on Saturday, 18th January 2025 to demonstrate their support of the Palestinian struggle for liberation, the UK government’s complicity with Israel’s genocide and the ongoing arms trade. By then the ceasefire deal had been announced but we were aware of its weakness, with no guarantees that it would be permanent and lead to justice.
This was the 23rd demonstration with all previously ones being notably peaceful with people of all ages and backgrounds participating in them.
As the date neared, unfolding developments meant that this demonstration would also highlight the BBC’s role in its biased reporting on Palestine/Israel and the influence of pro-Israel groups who under false pretences had forced the route that had been agreed upon last November to be changed. It became clear that civil society’s right to protest was being challenged.
We were not allowed to assemble and march as planned and instead demonstrators were told to go to Whitehall for a static demonstration beginning at noon. From the beginning, police were aggressive and provocative. As always, ICAHD UK supporters assembled with the Jewish bloc and some of us managed to get into Whitehall before noon. Even then police came and asked us to move to another location or face arrest. We did not comply and thankfully no force was involved. However, streets were blocked and tens of thousands of demonstrators were prevented from reaching Whitehall until after 1pm.
Following the speeches from the platform that had been erected near Downing Street, it was announced that a delegation of the six organisations who arrange these events plus the speakers, some MPs and cultural figures would walk in the direction of the BBC and lay flowers and children’s toys at the feet of the police who were at top of Whitehall, where the barriers had been placed. They followed instructions from the police, but then shocking developments took place the resulted in 77 arrests.
An account of what happened on the 18th is provided by Jewish Voice for Labour.
Statement from the organisers on what happened in Whitehall and in Trafalgar Square.
Personal statement from Ben Jamal, Director, PSC, on the charges brought against him.
Ivor Dembina, stand-up comedian, is part of the Jewish bloc during the national demonstrations for Palestine held in London. His understanding was changed after he witnessed what Israel is doing in the West Bank.
Photos
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