LONDON (AP) – London police have been supported for demonstrations on another day on Sunday as the war in Gaza continues to inflame tensions throughout the UK.
Protesters will march through central London to the prime minister’s residence on 10th Downing Street on Sunday afternoon, demanding the immediate release of all remaining hostages in Gaza. The march comes the day after the police 474 people arrested In protests in support of banned pro-Palestinian organizations.
Among those expected to attend the rally is Noga Gutman, cousin of 24-year-old hostage Eviatar David. He was featured in a video that infuriated Israelis when it was released last week by Hamas extremists. The video showed a weakened David saying he was digging his grave in a tunnel in Gaza.
Hamas-led extremists lured 251 people when they attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Approximately 50 hostages have not been released yet. It is thought to be alive.
Last week, Israel announced its intention to end the war and occupy Gaza city as part of its plan to bring prisoners home. Families and many international leaders have denounced the plan, saying it will lead to more bloodshed and put hostages at risk.
“We are integrated into the clear and urgent demands of immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” stops hatred, a coalition of groups organizing the march. “Regardless of our diverse political views, this is not a political issue. It’s a human issue.”
On Saturday, police arrested hundreds of people in central London. Protesters sought to pressure the government to overturn a decision to ban group Palestinians’ actions as a terrorist organization. The law passed last month criminalizes publicly supporting the group.
Metropolitan Police said 466 people were arrested for supporting Palestinian actions. Eight more people were arrested on other charges, including assaulting police officers.
The government banned Palestine’s actions after activists broke into Royal Air Force Base And damaged two tanker planes to protest the UK’s support The War in Gaza. Palestinian actions previously targeted Israeli defense contractors and other sites in the UK, and therefore believed they had ties to Israeli military forces.
Supporters of Palestinian actions have challenged the court ban, stating that the government was too far away from declaring direct action groups to terrorist organizations.
