Protesters in London call on new UK PM to stop Gaza genocide

Thousands protest in London calling on new UK Prime Minister to stop Gaza genocide Protesters marched from London's Russell Square to Downing Street, calling on the new leader to end Britain's complicity in the Gaza genocide. The protesters walked from Russell Square to Downing Street, holding banners calling for a free Palestine [GETTY] Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters marched the streets of London on Saturday, calling on the new UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to end Britain's complicity in Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, as incumbent PM Keir Starmer is expected to leave office on Monday. The protesters marched from Russell Square to Downing Street, holding Palestinian flags and banners calling for a free Palestine, an end to the occupation, and sanctions against Israel. Your Party leader and Pro-Palestine politician Jeremy Corbyn, who participated in the demonstration, said on X: "we are not disappearing, we are not going away, and we will never stop campaigning for the liberation of Palestine". Attendees also included Green Party Deputy leader Mothin Ali, and Palestine's ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot. Protesters also called for a full arms embargo on Israel, aimed at halting the supply of weapons used in its war on the besieged enclave. The march follows Burnham's apology over the Labour Party's stance on Gaza, which activists and human rights organisations have criticised as years of inaction by the governing party, including being "too slow" to call for a ceasefire. In a video statement released on 9 July, Burnham said Labour "didn't get it right" on Gaza and spoke about the need to "strengthen" the UK's response to the war as well as the possibility of sanctions, in one of the clearest acknowledgements of failings by a senior Labour figure. The soon-to-be Prime Minister has already faced calls to take action vis-a-vis UK's role in Palestine, with major UK charities and senior political figures urging Burnham to impose sanctions on Israel. Burnham's win at the Makerfield by-election on 19 June provided a clear path for him to assume Starmer's role after securing overwhelming backing from his fellow Labour MPs, leaving him effectively unopposed. After taking the role as Labour leader on Friday, Burnham pledged to “renew hope” as he prepares to become the UK’s next prime minister. He has already faced controversy, however, over his backing of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration crackdown in a parliamentary vote Related Articles