On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, hundreds of students from some of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious universities took to the streets of central London to commemorate the second anniversary of the ongoing war in Gaza. The demonstration, which saw participants march through the capital in a bold display of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, unfolded despite explicit warnings from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had urged students to refrain from participating in such protests. The march was a powerful statement of defiance, as students and activists alike refused to be silenced, chanting slogans and waving Palestinian flags to demand justice and an end to what they described as Israel’s occupation.
The protest began at the Strand campus of King’s College London, a historic institution located in the heart of the city. From there, the procession wound its way through central London, passing by other renowned academic institutions, including the London School of Economics (LSE), University College London (UCL), and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). The march culminated at SOAS’s Malet Street campus, where demonstrators gathered to voice their grievances and reaffirm their commitment to the Palestinian struggle. The route was symbolic, as it connected some of the UK’s leading centers of intellectual thought, emphasizing the role of students and academics in raising awareness about the conflict.
Protesters carried placards bearing powerful messages such as “Occupation no more,” “No justice, no peace,” “Free Palestine,” and “We won’t be silenced.” These slogans encapsulated the demonstrators’ demands for an end to Israel’s actions in Gaza and their frustration with what they perceive as complicity from their own institutions and government. The atmosphere was charged with emotion, as participants chanted in unison, their voices echoing through the streets of London. Outside the campuses of LSE, SOAS, and UCL, students directed their ire at their universities, shouting “Shame!” to condemn what they described as the institutions’ financial and institutional ties to Israel. These ties, they argued, implicate their universities in the suffering of Palestinians.
One of the key organizing groups behind the march, UCL Action for Palestine, issued a statement that underscored their resolve. “We will not be silenced or intimidated,” the group declared, emphasizing their unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people. “We stand with the thousands of Palestinians who have been killed and those who continue to endure unimaginable suffering,” the statement continued. The group’s words reflected a broader sentiment among the protesters: a refusal to back down in the face of opposition, whether from university administrations or the government.
Among the demonstrators was Nathan, a third-year law student at King’s College London, who spoke passionately about the significance of the protest. In an interview with Anadolu, Nathan explained that the march was not only about taking action but also about raising awareness. “It’s really important, even if you change one person’s opinion, even if you get one person to have more knowledge about the situation, the plight of the Palestinian people,” he said. “That’s why it’s important. That’s why we’re out here protesting today.” Nathan also shared his personal observations of his university’s response to pro-Palestinian activism, accusing King’s College London of bias. “I’ve seen the university trying to suspend the Students’ Union comments they made in support of Palestine and the real bias that the university has shown against the Palestinian cause,” he added.
The demonstration was not without opposition. A small group of pro-Israel counter-protesters gathered nearby, holding their own demonstration to defend what they described as Israel’s “right to self-defense.” They rejected the accusations leveled by the pro-Palestinian marchers, arguing that their narrative overlooked the complexities of the conflict. The presence of the counter-protesters added a layer of tension to the event, but a significant police presence ensured that the two groups remained separated. Officers formed barriers and maintained a visible presence throughout the march, preventing any direct clashes between the opposing sides.
The timing of the protest was significant, as it coincided with heightened political scrutiny of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the UK. Just days before the march, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced plans to expand police powers to manage repeat demonstrations, particularly those associated with the Palestine solidarity movement. This move was seen by many activists as an attempt to curb their right to protest, further fueling their determination to make their voices heard.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had also weighed in on the issue, penning an article for The Times in which he explicitly discouraged students from participating in the protests. Starmer’s remarks framed the demonstrations as problematic, citing concerns about “rising antisemitism on our streets.” He argued that holding protests on the anniversary of the Hamas attacks, which marked the beginning of the current phase of the conflict in October 2023, was “un-British” and showed “little respect for others.” Starmer went further, claiming that such events had been used by some as a “despicable excuse to attack British Jews.” His comments drew sharp criticism from pro-Palestinian activists, who accused him of conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism and attempting to suppress legitimate protest.
The London march was not an isolated event. Similar demonstrations took place across the UK, including in cities such as Edinburgh, Belfast, and Sheffield. These protests reflected a growing movement among students and activists to draw attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, where the human toll has been staggering. Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 67,100 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, according to reports. The relentless bombardment has left the enclave in ruins, rendering it virtually uninhabitable. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, and the population faces mass displacement, starvation, and the spread of diseases. The scale of the devastation has galvanized activists around the world, including in the UK, to demand action and accountability.
The war in Gaza, which began two years ago, has been described by many activists as a genocidal campaign. The conflict was triggered by a series of events in October 2023, and since then, it has escalated into one of the deadliest periods in the region’s history. The protesters in London and beyond sought to highlight not only the loss of life but also the broader humanitarian crisis, including the destruction of infrastructure, the displacement of millions, and the blockade that has exacerbated suffering in Gaza.
For the students marching in London, the protest was more than a symbolic gesture; it was a call to action. They demanded that their universities divest from companies and institutions with ties to Israel, arguing that such investments make their schools complicit in the conflict. They also called for an end to the UK’s political and military support for Israel, urging the government to take a stronger stance in support of Palestinian rights. The demonstrators’ resolve was evident in their refusal to heed Starmer’s warnings, signaling a broader rejection of efforts to silence their movement.
As the march concluded at SOAS, the atmosphere remained one of determination and solidarity. Speakers addressed the crowd, reiterating the importance of continued activism and the need to keep the Palestinian cause in the public eye. For many of the students, the protest was not just about marking an anniversary but about sustaining a movement that seeks justice and accountability. The day’s events underscored the deep divisions in the UK over the Israel-Palestine conflict, as well as the growing influence of student-led activism in shaping the national conversation.
The demonstration in London, along with those in other cities, highlighted the global nature of the Palestine solidarity movement. As the war in Gaza continues, these protests serve as a reminder of the power of collective action and the determination of a new generation to challenge the status quo. For the students who marched through London’s streets, their message was clear: they will not be silenced, and they will continue to fight for a free Palestine.
