LONDON (Palestine Foundation Information Center) Thousands gathered outside the British Parliament on Monday night in a powerful display of solidarity with Palestine, marking one of the continuous demonstrations since the start of the Israeli genocide in Gaza in October 2023.
Organized by the Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB) in partnership with several key organizations, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Stop the War Coalition (STW), Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA), and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). The rally aimed to highlight the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and call for urgent action.
Adnan Hmidan, the acting chairman of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, stated, “Today’s rally is a clear and urgent call to save Gaza’s healthcare workers and to put an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Thousands of people have come together to demand justice for those who have been left to suffer under the relentless attacks on hospitals and medical facilities. We stand firm in our resolve to pressure the UK government to take action, whether it’s ending arms exports to Israel or advocating for the release of detained healthcare professionals like Dr. Hossam Abu Safiyah. This rally is a powerful reminder that we will not rest until Gaza’s people are safe, and their basic rights to healthcare and freedom are fully restored.”
The event featured a range of speakers who addressed the escalating destruction of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure and the need for immediate international intervention. Independent MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell emphasized the moral responsibility of the British government to cease arms exports to Israel, urging an end to policies that enable the ongoing violence against Palestinians. They underscored the importance of holding Israel accountable for its violations of international law, which have devastated Gaza’s healthcare system and claimed countless lives.
Zeinab Kamal, representing the Palestinian Forum in Britain, spoke at the Rally, she stated: “We are here today to carry the voice of Gaza’s healthcare workers and demand justice for those who risk their lives to save others. The intentional targeting of hospitals and the abduction of doctors like Dr. Hussam Abu Safiyah is a crime against humanity. We will not stand idle while our government enables these atrocities. It is time to take a courageous stance, impose sanctions on Israel, enact an arms embargo, and demand justice for Gaza. We will persist until the occupation falls, war criminals are held accountable, and Palestine is free.”
Representatives from human rights organizations and grassroots movements also spoke passionately about the resilience of Palestinian communities and the critical role of international solidarity. Yasmine Ahmed from Human Rights Watch highlighted the systematic violations of human rights in Gaza, while Janine Hourani from the Palestinian Youth Movement reflected on the enduring strength of Palestinian youth in their struggle against occupation.
The rally, punctuated by chants and the waving of Palestinian flags, resonated with a unified call for justice. Participants carried banners condemning Britain’s arms trade with Israel and urging an end to the blockade on Gaza. The demonstration served as a poignant reminder of the growing public demand for the UK government to take a firm stand against the occupation and its human rights abuses.
The PFB encourages continued action in support of Palestine and reaffirms the commitment to amplifying the voices of the Palestinian people and maintaining pressure on policymakers to prioritize human rights and justice in their foreign policy decisions.
The rally underscored the enduring commitment of the British public to stand in solidarity with Palestine and to demand an end to the suffering in Gaza, reaffirming that the call for freedom and justice will not waver.
