Thousands of people protested in London on Saturday, demanding the end of the Israel war on Gaza after the general election on Thursday night. On the same day, Keir Starmer was elected as the new Prime Minister of the UK and he started his first full day in charge after his Labour Party’s overwhelming victory against the end of 14 years of Conservative rule.
Campaigners requested the new government to support an immediate ceasefire to the Israeli military actions, which has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians since October 7. This protest is headed by a prominent UK pro-Palestine group, Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC).
The protest composed of campaigners casting together at Russell Square and later moved to different areas in Central London. Videos revolved around social media showing the activists holding signs supporting Palestinians and furthermore chanting criticism of senior Labour Party figures.
A group of activists demonstrate in one video: “Keir Starmer, you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide.” Before winning the elections, the Labour Party faced criticism for what was seen as a shift towards a more supportive attitude on Israel under Starmer’s leadership. This change was closely watched and analyzed by observers and commentators alike.
Pro-Palestine activists criticize Starmer for not speaking out strongly against Israel’s actions of increased violence, as well as massacres and deliberate involvement with aid efforts that intensify a famine.
After being re-elected as an independent MP for Islington North on Friday, Jeremy Corbyn joined demonstrators at the protest. The former Labour leader, addressing from the stage, said,
Palestine was on the ballot in this election, and I vow to uphold my commitment to supporting the Palestinian people. “We told the Tories, and now we tell Labour; any government that sells arms to Israel is complicit in crimes against humanity.”
He continued, “A change in government doesn’t alter the fact that people in Gaza are still being murdered in their sleep. And it doesn’t change the reality that the only path to a just and lasting peace is ending the occupation of Palestine.”
The new government has adopted a stronger approach to resolving the conflict. The newly appointed Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the critical need for ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire and ensure the release of captives
