Kamal Ghorui
Authorities in London have issued a stern warning ahead of the annual Al‑Quds Day demonstration on Sunday, saying participants could face arrest for chanting “intifada” slogans, displaying banned symbols, or showing support for proscribed groups.The Metropolitan Police Service said officers will “act decisively” if protesters cross the line into hate speech or endorse organisations banned under UK law. Around 12,000 people are expected to attend the rally, which expresses solidarity with Palestinian rights and is traditionally observed on the last Friday of Ramadan.
March banned, only static protest allowed
The annual march through central London has been prohibited this year after Shabana Mahmood, the UK home secretary, approved a police request for restrictions.Instead, demonstrators will be allowed to hold a two-hour static protest between 1 pm and 3 pm along Albert Embankment on the south bank of the River Thames.Police said the move was necessary to prevent clashes between rival groups and manage what they described as a potentially volatile situation.“This is a unique set of circumstances and we needed a unique tactical plan,” said Ade Adelekan, adding that the decision to ban marching had not been taken lightly.
Thames to separate protesters and counter-protesters
Authorities will use the River Thames as a physical barrier to separate the main rally from counter-demonstrations — a tactic believed to be a first for Scotland Yard.While Al-Quds Day protesters will gather near Vauxhall and Lambeth bridges, counter-protesters — including pro-Israel groups, critics of Iran’s regime and Iranian exile activists — are expected to assemble across the river near Millbank.Lambeth Bridge will be closed to the public except for emergency vehicles, and marine policing units will patrol the river to ensure the two sides remain apart.
Warning over ‘intifada’ slogans
Police reiterated that chants calling for “intifada” could lead to arrests depending on context.The Arabic word means “uprising” or “resistance”, but some Jewish groups say the phrase has increasingly been used as a call for violence against Jews.“Officers on the ground will be briefed on placards, flags and chanting that cross the line into hate crime or support for a proscribed organisation,” Adelekan said.Anyone attempting to march, or encouraging others to do so, could also be detained.
Controversy around rally
The demonstration is organised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission, which has defended the event as a peaceful rally that has taken place for decades.However, past marches have sparked controversy after some participants were seen carrying flags linked to Hezbollah, a group designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK government, and chanting slogans hostile to Israel and the US.Organisers said they have warned participants not to display symbols associated with banned groups.
Heavy security across the city
Police say around 1,000 officers will be deployed across central London, with additional patrols around places of worship, embassies and community centres.The restrictions , the first imposed on an Al-Quds Day march since 2012, will apply only to these demonstrations and are not intended to set a precedent, police said.Authorities expect a challenging weekend but stressed that the goal is to allow lawful protest while preventing disorder.
