UK police warn of ‘challenging and tense weekend’ as Palestinian supporters to march in London

LONDON — Almost 2,000 police officers will be on duty today when more than 100,000 pro-Palestinian supporters are expected to march through London to protest Israel over the war in Gaza against Hamas, with extra powers in place to protect landmarks honoring Britain’s war dead.

Pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel marches have been held in the UK capital over recent weekends, with police making almost 100 arrests for offenses including supporting banned organizations and serious hate crimes.

But today’s march promises to be more fraught as it coincides with Armistice Day, which commemorates those who have died in conflict since World War I.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a late plea for peaceful demonstrations

“It is because of those who fought for this country and for the freedom we cherish that those who wish to protest can do so, but they must do so respectfully and peacefully,” Sunak said in a statement released last night.

It will be a “particularly challenging and tense weekend,” Laurence Taylor, the Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner leading Saturday’s operation, told a media briefing yesterday.

He estimated that more than 100,000 people would be at the march, with organizers changing the route to ensure it will not pass any landmark memorials.

However, police said that previous events had seen “small groups break away” and that “their behavior has been escalating and becoming more violent.”

As a result, metal barriers will be placed around the area containing the most significant memorials, with police able to arrest any marchers attempting to gather there.

The Cenotaph memorial — the focal point of commemorations — will have a constant police presence until the conclusion of remembrance events on Sunday, said Scotland Yard.