# London student pro-Palestine march controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/london-student-pro-palestine-march-controversy
> Updated: 2026-10-07T17:13:23.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 3.

Students from four London universities, organized as the University of London Coalition, planned a mass pro-Palestine march to coincide with the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks. The demonstration was scheduled to begin at midday, marching from King's College London in the Strand to University College London in Holborn, with organizers demanding an end to what they described as a ‘Palestinian genocide’ in Gaza.

The decision to hold the protest on the anniversary drew criticism from Jewish community leaders. Raphi Leon, president of the Union of Jewish Students, described the timing as ‘provocative, deliberate and must be condemned to the fullest extent.’

In response to the planned event, the Metropolitan Police urged organizers to reschedule, noting that while they lacked the legal authority to ban the march, the timing created a risk of communities feeling ‘unsafe and unsupported’ during a ‘day of mourning.’ Authorities also contacted university leadership to address rising levels of antisemitism.

On October 7, approximately 200 demonstrators, many affiliated with London universities, proceeded with the march through central London. To maintain public order, the Metropolitan Police modified the original route and mandated that the procession conclude by 2:00 PM. During the march, protesters encountered pro-Israel counter-demonstrators, resulting in moments of tension that required police intervention. Pro-Israel participants characterized the timing of the march as a ‘deliberate attack and a deliberate insult’ to the Jewish people, while pro-Palestinian supporters focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-07: London hosts pro-Palestinian march on October 7 anniversary

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched in central London on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, facing tension with pro-Israel counter-protesters and police intervention.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/london-hosts-pro-palestinian-march-on-october-7-anniversary

### 2026-10-02: London Police urge students to reschedule October 7 pro-Palestine march

London's Metropolitan Police are urging student organizers to reschedule a pro-Palestine march set for October 7, citing concerns over community distress and the anniversary of the Hamas attacks.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/metropolitan-police-urge-rescheduling-of-pro-palestine-student-march

### 2026-09-24: London students plan pro-Palestine march for October 7 anniversary

London university students are planning a pro-Palestine march for the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks, drawing condemnation from Jewish student leaders over the provocative timing.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/london-students-plan-pro-palestine-march-for-october-7-anniversary

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Cite as: London student pro-Palestine march controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/london-student-pro-palestine-march-controversy