London’s annual Al-Quds Day rally, a demonstration of support for Palestinian rights, will proceed on Sunday under significant restrictions. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has banned a march through the city, citing concerns over public disorder given the scale of the planned protest and anticipated counter-protests.
Restrictions and Warnings
Approximately 12,000 people are expected to participate in the event, which originated with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after the 1979 Iranian revolution. Instead of a march, demonstrators will be confined to a two-hour static demonstration on the south bank of the Thames, between 1pm, and 3pm. Counter-protests are planned for the north bank, and participants in those demonstrations are also prohibited from marching.
The Metropolitan Police have warned that anyone expressing support for Palestine Action or chanting “intifada” will face arrest. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan stated that officers “will act decisively” regarding placards, flags, and chants that constitute hate crimes or support for proscribed organizations.
Previous Controversies and Legal Challenges
Previous Al-Quds Day marches have been marked by controversy, including the presence of flags supporting Hezbollah, a group proscribed by the British government as a terrorist organization, and chants critical of Israel and the United States. The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), which organizes the march, recently condemned the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating he “resisted oppression.”
The government’s recent attempt to proscribe Palestine Action was ruled unlawful by the High Court last month, though the ban remains in place pending appeal. “Intifada” is defined as uprising or resistance in Arabic, but some Jewish groups view it as a call for violence.
Police Response and Future Protests
The Metropolitan Police have stated this is a “limited and specific ban” lasting one month, applying only to Al-Quds Day protests and counter-demonstrations. Adelekan emphasized that this decision does not establish a precedent, noting that the power to ban protests hasn’t been used since 2012. The police have not requested a ban on an Al-Quds Day march for 14 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Al-Quds Day?
Al-Quds Day is an annual international demonstration of support for Palestinian rights, named after the Arabic version of Jerusalem and created by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after Iran’s 1979 revolution.
Why has the march been banned this year?
Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, banned the march due to concerns about serious public disorder, citing the scale of the protest and multiple counter-protests in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
What will happen to those who violate the ban?
Police have warned that demonstrators will be arrested for expressing support for Palestine Action or making intifada chants, and anyone who marches or incites others to march will also face arrest.
Given the planned counter-protests and the police’s heightened alert, how might the dynamic between demonstrators and law enforcement unfold on Sunday?
