London: Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets of central London on Saturday, marching to the US embassy in opposition to former US President Donald Trump’s controversial Gaza proposal.
Carrying Palestinian flags and placards that read “Hands off Gaza” and “Stand up to Trump,” protesters walked from Whitehall in Westminster to Nine Elms, expressing their outrage over Trump’s remarks about redeveloping the war-torn Gaza Strip into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
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Global Outrage Over Trump’s Proposal
Earlier this month, Trump suggested that the US could take over Gaza and transform it into a luxurious coastal region. His plan reportedly involves resettling Palestinians elsewhere without a return policy. This proposal has been widely condemned by Western leaders and Arab nations, who view it as impractical and unethical.
87-year-old Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos was among the protesters, calling the idea “immoral, illegal, and absurd.” He emphasized that forcibly deporting two million people is not only unfeasible but also risks destabilizing neighboring countries.
Tensions at the Protest
The march, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, marked the 24th major pro-Palestinian demonstration in London since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. A heavy police presence was seen during the protest, ensuring distance between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and a counter-march called “Stop the Hate,” where participants waved Israeli flags.
The Ongoing Gaza Conflict
The ongoing conflict has led to devastating losses on both sides. According to an AFP tally of Israeli figures, Hamas’s attack on Israel resulted in 1,211 deaths, mostly civilians. In response, Israel launched a retaliatory campaign, which, according to Gaza’s health ministry, has caused the deaths of at least 48,264 people, primarily civilians. The United Nations considers these figures reliable.
Meanwhile, a prisoner exchange took place on Saturday, with Hamas releasing three Israeli hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinian inmates freed by Israel as part of a fragile ceasefire deal.
