UK: Pro-Palestinian activists plan protest marches in London Feb. 17

Pro-Palestinian activists plan to stage protest marches in London Feb. 17 to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Activists affiliated with various pacifist organizations including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA) plan to hold a protest march starting at 12:00. Demonstrators intend to gather at Marble Arch before marching to the Israeli embassy on Kensington High Street. A second, more accessible march is planned to depart from the Royal Albert Hall on Kensington Gore at 13:00, also terminating on Kensington High Street. Several thousand activists will likely participate; similar demonstrations have drawn over 100,000 activists on several occasions since Oct. 7.

Heightened security and transport disruptions are likely along the march routes. Disruptions are likely at Underground stations near the primary march's starting point, particularly at Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, and High Street Kensington stations. Previous PSC demonstrations have remained largely peaceful; however, confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officers or politically opposed bystanders cannot be ruled out.