Over 55,000 people took to the streets of London for the 25th National March for Palestine since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023. The banner prepared for the march called for Freedom for Palestine, No to Ethnic Cleansing and Stop Arming Israel.
The march assembled at Green Park and went to Whitehall; thus, it was a short distance with the route only released by the Metropolitan Police a few days before it took place. The event was held in the context of Israel refusing to move into stage 2 of the ceasefire deal when it was to withdraw its troops from Gaza before Hamas released more of the Israeli hostages. In addition, earlier in March, Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza as well as humanitarian aid, including food and water, thus entrenching genocide through starvation.
Since Israel’s war on Gaza began, there has been no enforcement of international law and with rulings from the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court ignored. The UK government along with others in the West remain silent. As Jeremy Corbyn MP pointed out while speaking on the platform at the end of the march, history will brutally judge those who watched the Palestinians lives being destroyed. Our government will find that it was on the wrong side of history.
Before the march set off, ICAHD UK filmed several short interviews. Those interviewed included Jews, Christians and Muslims which again demonstrated that a wide cross-section of British society participates in these peaceful opportunities to demonstrate our outrage about what is happening as well as our solidarity in the struggle for peace and justice for all peoples.
Videos
Lynne Segal, Professor of Psychology and Gender Studies in the Department of Psychosocial Studies at Birkbeck College and author of several books, speaks of coming from a Jewish family which over the last 100 years has been concerned about what is happening to the indigenous Palestinian population.
Lyndall Stein speaks of her Jewish heritage and why she has a responsibility to speak up in support of the Palestinian struggle. Lyndall comes with experience in the South African anti-apartheid struggle. She has spent her life working on social justice and equality issues. Previously she helped establish the charity Concern UK, and worked at ActionAid, Terrence Higgins Trust, and the Big Issue Foundation. She is the interim chief executive at the Resource Alliance.
Sasha tells us why she decided to march during Ramadan at 17 March 2025 National Demo for Palestine
Emily, an activist from Na’amod, one of the other organisations within the Jewish bloc, spoke to us about the recent police obstruction to the route of the march and the assembly point for the Jewish bloc. Despite that, Jews are eager to march because they are angered and deeply saddened by what is being done in their name.
Naomi Wimborne-Idrisi from Jewish Voice for Labour spoke to ICAHD UK when the Jewish bloc assembled for its participation in the National March for Palestine on 15th March. She lamented what has been happening since Trump took office in the White House. “There is supposed to be a ceasefire but now everything is up for grabs. We must raise the Palestinian voice using every means possible.”
Shamiul Joarder from Friends of Al-Aqsa, one of the organisations responsible for planning the National Demonstrations for Palestine in London, speaks of the necessary of getting out onto the streets. Ethnic cleansing continues in Gaza so even during Ramadan, we must march and keep pressure on our government.
Rev Simon Woodman has witnessed the oppression of the Palestinian people. Because of that, he must get out onto the streets during these marches standing in solidarity particularly with the Palestinian Christian community.
Drummers singing 'Freedom for Palestine' at National Demonstration for Palestine.
A long-time Palestinian campaigner says she is back on the streets yet again because what Israel is doing is a disgrace and the root of the problem is with the British government. Yet, she is encouraged because through social media the world has woken up to what is happening to the Palestinians.
Dawn, a Baptist minister from west London, joined the march because she is passionate about what is happening to the Palestinians. Within her age group, she is involved in many discussions amongst Christians and non-Christians who are concerned about the need for justice, freedom and a better future.
ICAHD UK supporters set off on the march.
Photos
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