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Pro-Palestine protesters urge new UK PM Burnham to take tougher stance on Israel

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters marched in London demanding new Prime Minister Andy Burnham adopt a tougher stance on Israel.
  • Organizers called for sanctions against Israel, including an arms embargo and trade ban.
  • Police made eight arrests during the demonstration, which featured controversial displays and chants.

Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters converged on London over the weekend, urging the newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham to adopt a more stringent policy toward Israel. The National March for Palestine, organized by the Palestine Coalition, took place ahead of Burnham's official entry into Downing Street.

sent a powerful message to the next Prime Minister to stand up for Palestine and take all possible action to end Israel’s genocide.

— Palestine Solidarity CampaignDescribing the impact of the National March for Palestine.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign stated the march sent a "powerful message" to Burnham, calling for an end to what they termed "Israel’s genocide." The group demanded that Burnham impose wide-ranging sanctions on Israel, including a full arms embargo, an end to military cooperation, and a complete ban on trade that supports Israel's actions. They also called for the reversal of governmental restrictions on groups like Palestine Action.

If he wants to break with Starmer's shameful legacy, he must start imposing wide-ranging sanctions against Israel including a full arms embargo, an end to military cooperation and diplomatic support, and a total ban on all trade that aids or assists Israel's atrocities and violations of international law.

— Palestine Solidarity CampaignDemands made to the new Prime Minister regarding Israel.

Videos from the march depicted numerous Palestinian and Iranian flags, alongside banners with slogans such as "Hands Off Iran" and "Stop the Genocide." Chants included "babykillers," "Zionists are not welcome here," and "Israel is a terror state." One particularly provocative display featured an individual in striped pajamas holding a sign that read, "Netanyahu, why don't you just gas us?" A small contingent of Neturei Karta Jews also participated, carrying signs opposing the state of Israel and Zionism.

babykillers

— ProtestersChanted during the march.

Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali warned Burnham that "mealy-mouthed words aren't good enough." The Metropolitan Police reported eight arrests for offenses including assault and racially aggravated public order offenses. The Campaign Against Antisemitism criticized the protest, noting the prevalence of "conspiracy-laden signs and banners" and the targeting of public figures with accusations of "Zionist 'control,'" which they described as an "age-old trope."

Zionists are not welcome here

— ProtestersChanted during the march.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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