Thousands march in London demanding Gaza arms embargo

Thousands of people marched through central London on Saturday, July 18, 2026, demanding that incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham take a firm stance on the conflict in Gaza. The demonstration, organized by the Palestine Coalition, called for Britain to impose a full arms embargo on Israel and enact wider sanctions.

Protesters gathered in Russell Square before marching to Westminster and Whitehall, carrying Palestinian flags and banners with slogans such as "Ceasefire now" and "Stop the genocide." They chanted calls for a free Palestine and an end to the occupation. The march proceeded under conditions imposed by the Metropolitan Police under the Public Order Act to prevent serious disruption. Police reported eight arrests related to a separate counter-demonstration for offenses including assault and racially aggravated public order offenses.

The event was timed ahead of Burnham's expected ascension to prime minister on Monday, following his confirmation as Labour Party leader on Friday. Participants aimed to pressure the new leader to break with the policies of outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose government faced persistent criticism for its response to the war in Gaza....