Hundreds protests over UK’s plan to recognise Palestine
Hundreds of people on August 10th marched in London to call for Hamas to release Israeli hostages currently held by the militant group in Gaza and to protest against the UK’s impending recognition of Palestine as a state, according to Al-Monitor via AFP.
In April, Britain was in talks with Saudi Arabia and France concerning the recognition of Palestine as a state, with the UK voicing that it will recognise Palestine at “a time that it has the greatest impact.” On July 29th, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Britain is prepared to recognise Palestine as a state this September at the United Nations General Assembly. This comes at the heels of pressure for change in the UK’s policy towards Palestine.
The march ended at Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office at 10 Downing Street. The protest illustrates the conflicting political climate within the United Kingdom. The police said three counter-protestors were arrested on the day, with two of them being arrested for violence. The protestors donned Israeli flags to support the hostages. The organisers of the march asserted that their freedom should be Starmer’s prime concern.
A total of 49 of the 251 hostages that Hamas seized during the October 7th 2023 attack that started the war in Gaza, are still being held. What’s more, of these 49, 27 are deceased, according to the Israeli army.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, at least 61,430 Palestinian deaths can be attributed to Israel’s offensive. This comes as Israel faces increased global backlash for what United Nations-backed experts say is widespread famine in Gaza. The protest took place amidst increased tension over pro-Palestine activism.
In July the government designated Palestine Action, a direct action group, as a terrorist organisation under the same legal category as Al-Qaeda.
Relatives of late hostages attended the demonstration including Nadav Popplewell’s sister, Ayelet Stavitsky, and Tsachi Idan’s cousin Adam Ma’anit. Tsachi Idan died in Hamas’ arms. Ma’anit said: “I think that the [UK] government got it wrong with its foreign policy, that it’s time for it to correct and refocus on the hostages,” reflecting the main message of the march as the UK shifts its tone towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Al-Monitor via AFP, Magrhebi.org
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