I led the UK’s largest Palestine protest. Two years later, still no real government action

Since Israel’s genocidal aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, more than 25 pro-Palestine protests have brought hundreds of thousands of ordinary Britons to the streets of London, outraged by Israel’s actions. One was said to have drawn a million. I was proud to lead many of them as Chair of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

In a democracy, protests allow people to express their views. Early on, the demand was simple: call for a ceasefire. The peaceful atmosphere, with families travelling from across the UK, was striking. Many expected then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government to listen and act. Instead, the Tory government sided with Israel, regurgitating the claim it acted in self-defence against Hamas.

The then Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, an outspoken Israel apologist, labelled the peaceful protests as hate marches and pressured police to crack down on demonstrators, accusing them of supporting Hamas.

As Israel’s deadly attacks on Gaza continued, protesters grew more determined, angered not only by the Tory government’s unwavering support for Israel but also by Labour leader Keir Starmer’s controversial remarks on LBC radio in October 2023, endorsing Israel’s right to cut water, electricity, and aid to Gaza’s civilians.

Now Prime Minister since July 2024, Starmer has shown little change in government policy despite protesters calling Israel’s actions genocide. He still refuses to label the killing of over 54,510 Palestinians, including over 20,000 children, as genocide, avoiding a clear definition in Parliament or the public.

At the last London Gaza demonstration, people asked why the government hadn’t changed its stance despite the slaughter continuing and whether protests were helping. Before I could answer, others noted the government was heavily lobbied by pro-Israel groups. Still, many agreed that protests must continue to keep pressure on the government and remind Palestinians they are not forgotten.

Protests persisted worldwide, in France, Germany, Canada, and the USA, even as governments changed. Yet policing grew harsher, influenced by pro-Israel lobbying. In Germany, protesters faced brutality, and Holocaust survivor Steven Frankel was even questioned, a bizarre incident that underscored the tense climate.

Students worldwide campaigned on campuses for Palestinian rights, calling for divestment from Israeli-linked projects. Yet university leaders responded harshly, accusing protesters of antisemitism and citing Jewish students’ vulnerability.

Despite peaceful efforts, supporters of Palestine saw little impact on government policies or official recognition of Israel’s actions as genocide. That changed only after Israel flagrantly broke a ceasefire implemented on January 14, 2025, launching deadly strikes on March 18 that killed about 100 Palestinians, many children, and enforced a full blockade on Gaza.

While Israel denies starvation, human rights organisations and images from Gaza tell a different story. Israel has weaponised hunger, collaborating with the US to restrict aid delivery by replacing UNRWA’s 300 distribution points with just four in southern Gaza, forcing Gazans to relocate southward to survive. This is a precursor to the Israeli government’s plan to expel all Palestinians from Gaza to third countries.

The British government showed a minor shift by suspending 30 of 300 arms licenses to Israel in September 2024. But it then issued a joint statement with France and Italy containing language no previous UK government would have used — given it's blanket support for Israel — followed by Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s parliamentary call-out of Israel’s actions, threats of sanctions, and suspension of trade negotiations.

Alongside these policy changes, some journalists and MPs who typically supported Israel have shifted tone.

Tory MP Mark Pritchard admitted in Parliament he was wrong to support Israel, despite the party leader's criticism of government statements.

Journalist Matthew Paris asked in The Times, “Why are we closing our eyes to Gaza’s horror?” calling on Israel’s Western allies to say, “enough of this savagery—and actually mean it.” Broadcaster Piers Morgan, who regularly covered Gaza, admitted he was wrong about Israel and challenged the Israeli ambassador on his show. Israeli-supporting New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote, “This Israeli Government is not our ally.”

So, is there a real shift in political will to call out Israeli crimes and recognise genocidal acts, or are these just empty words? Despite joint statements by the UK, France, and Canada, have there been meaningful actions?

Ask those suffering under Israel’s ongoing violence. Dr. Alaa Al Najjar lost nine of her ten children to Israeli bombs. Ask Warda Alshaikh Khalil, who escaped an Israeli strike on a school sheltering hundreds, including her now-deceased family. Over 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced repeatedly under Israeli evacuation orders and denied aid. 

The answer is clear: no meaningful action has followed the government’s words.

While some government policies have shifted, it’s insufficient. Without public pressure, even these limited changes wouldn’t have occurred. Supporters of human rights and Palestine must not underestimate their influence but must increase pressure until this barbaric Israeli aggression ends and Palestinians gain their rights like all people.

Professor Kamel Hawwash is a retired engineering academic turned political writer and commentator. He is the former Chair of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in the UK and stood as an independent parliamentary candidate in 2024. Kamel blogs at www.kamelhawwash.com

Follow Kamel on X: @kamelhawwash

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Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The New Arab, its editorial board or staff.