Unprecedented Pro-Iran, Pro-Palestine Rally Floods Central London Streets

Date: 31 January 2026 - 21:40

News ID: ۱۴۸۲۳۹

LONDON (Dispatches) --
Thousands of supporters of Iran’s Islamic Revolution and groups backing the Palestinian cause rallied in central London on Saturday, calling for an end to political and military support for Israel.
The protest marked what organisers said was the 34th nationwide rally in Britain since the start of the war on Gaza. Demonstrators gathered initially at Russell Square before marching through central London streets toward the vicinity of the British prime minister’s office.
Participants carried flags of Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine, and chanted slogans opposing what they described as interventionist policies by the United States in West Asia.
Placards bearing images of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei were visible among the crowd, some displaying a quote from him urging people to “choose the right side of history.”
The rally was supported by several organizations, including the Islamic Human Rights Commission, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Stop the War Coalition and a number of human rights and anti-war groups.
Peter Leary, deputy secretary-general of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said the scale of participation in Saturday’s demonstration was unprecedented in Britain.
Speaking on the sidelines of the protest, he said the turnout reflected widespread opposition to Israel’s atrocious actions in Gaza, even after the announcement of a ceasefire agreement.
“We are here to oppose the crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza,” Leary said, adding that protesters did not want the issue to be closed through what he described as the gradual normalization of the situation. “We will not allow this file to be quietly closed.”
Leary also criticized U.S. policy, saying Washington is violating international law through unilateral actions, threats and pressure against other countries, which he said have contributed to growing instability in the region.
He extended his criticism to the British government, saying London has chosen to restrict protests rather than condemn U.S. and Israeli policies. British authorities, he said, have focused on curbing demonstrations instead of addressing the causes that have brought people onto the streets.
The demonstration took place amid heightened international scrutiny of the war in Gaza and growing pressure on Western governments from pro-Palestinian activists to halt arms sales and diplomatic backing for Israel.
London has seen repeated large-scale protests since the outbreak of the Israeli war on Gaza, with demonstrators demanding an immediate ceasefire, accountability for civilian casualties and a shift in British foreign policy toward West Asia.
Saturday’s rally featured a strong presence of groups and individuals expressing solidarity with Iran’s
political stance and regional allies, alongside broader calls for Palestinian rights. Organizers said the diversity of flags and symbols reflected what they described as a shared opposition to Israeli actions and Western support for them.
British police maintained a visible presence along the march route, as they have during previous demonstrations, but there were no immediate reports of major incidents.
The protest added to a series of sustained demonstrations in Britain that have highlighted deep divisions over the Gaza war and the role of the United States and its allies, with organizers signaling that further rallies were likely in the coming weeks.