Pro-Palestine university groups march in London on October 7 anniversary

The Metropolitan Police expects hundreds of students to participate in pro-Palestinian marches in London on October 7, marking three years since Hamas's attack on Israel. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman expressed concerns about the impact these protests might have on Jewish communities and urged demonstrators to reconsider their actions due to the significant date.

Despite police warnings not to wear face coverings or chant inflammatory slogans, some protesters ignored these instructions during a march from Lincoln's Inn Fields towards Russell Square. The rally caused traffic disruptions and was heavily policed, with officers maintaining order along the route.

Protesters chanted "From the river to the sea Palestine will be free," referring to Israel's destruction, while others carried placards that referenced both the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. The Met is actively working with universities to identify organizers from the shadowy University of London Coalition, responsible for organizing the event.

Meanwhile, critics like Mark Rose called for a complete ban on such protests due to their support for terrorist organizations and descriptions of them as celebrations of mass murder, rape, and torture. Others have pointed out that these demonstrations are part of a broader strategy by Israel's enemies to delegitimize it through organized campaigns spanning decades.