Police are preparing for a large-scale pro-Palestine demonstration in central London on Saturday, expected to be attended by hundreds of thousands of people.
The march, organised by the Palestine Coalition, which includes the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War and other groups, is expected to move through key parts of the capital in the afternoon, just a day after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect.
A counter-protest organised by Stop The Hate is also due to take place on Saturday, at the junction of Aldwych and the Strand, according to police.
The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions on the demonstrations in an effort to minimise disruption and maintain public order, setting out specific areas where protesters can gather as well as a march route.
The pro-Palestinian protest will be the 32nd national demonstration in support of Palestine since October 2023, according to organiser Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), and will see protesters march along Embankment ending with in a rally in Whitehall.
Fourteen coaches carrying protesters are due to arrive in London on Saturday morning from across the UK, including Cardiff, Bristol, Bath, Coventry and Newport.
Protesters will gather at midday at Victoria Embankment before setting off along the route.
Police acknowledged recent government proposals to grant officers increased powers to restrict repeat protests, but confirmed that current laws remain unchanged.
“We will work with the Home Office as their proposals develop,” a spokesperson said.
The measures announced last weekend follow frequent pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including in London last Saturday.
Almost 500 people were arrested at last week's protest, with the majority on suspicion of supporting the banned terror organisation Palestine Action.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said repeated large-scale protests had caused "considerable fear" for the Jewish community.
Ben Jamal, PSC director, said the group will "never stop" supporting Palestinians to "achieve a free Palestine".
Of the planned protest this weekend, he said: "For two years we've seen Israel commit a no holds barred genocide with the political and military support of successive UK governments.
"In response, a community of resistance in this country has responded with an historic show of solidarity - actively and intensively campaigning, day in day out, to demand politicians, public bodies and corporations end their complicity with Israel's crimes.
"This is a movement supported by millions of people in this country and around the world who want freedom and justice for Palestine.
"That work will go on. Because we know Israel is capable of breaking the ceasefire at any time, as it has done on every previous occasion. And we know this ceasefire based on (US President Donald) Trump's plan does nothing to address the root causes of Israeli occupation and colonisation of Palestine, and its system of apartheid against Palestinians. It also does nothing to hold those responsible for genocide to account.
"The rights of the Palestinian people are enshrined under international law - they are inviolable and non-negotiable. They will never give up those rights, and we will never stop supporting them to achieve a free Palestine."
Saturday’s demonstration is expected to begin at Victoria Embankment, crossing Westminster Bridge before continuing along Waterloo Bridge, the Strand, and ending in Whitehall.
Protesters must gather along Embankment and follow the specified route as set out by the maps.
An assembly will take place where speeches will be made. Police say protesters must remain within Whitehall and conclude at 5.30pm.
Israel’s cabinet ratified a ceasefire agreement with Hamas early on Friday, paving the way for a pause in the fighting in Gaza.
Under the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan, troops must withdraw from parts of Gaza. However, it is understood that Israel will retain control over nearly 60 per cent of the territory.
The remaining Israeli hostages should be released by Hamas within 72 hours of the deal being signed, under the agreement.
The move is the biggest step yet to end the war in which over 67,000 Palestinians and return the last hostages seized by Hamas in the deadly attacks on October 7, 2023, in which .
Under the deal, fleets of trucks carrying food and medical aid would be allowed into Gaza to relieve civilians, hundreds of thousands of whom have been sheltering in tents after Israeli forces destroyed their homes and razed buildings.
