The protests have been massive. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of British cities to demand a ceasefire, a ban on arms sales to Israel and a change in the British government’s policy towards the conflict. At the same time, tensions have risen
The war in Gaza has caused not only a major humanitarian crisis, but also a significant shift in British society. More and more citizens in the United Kingdom, including people who were previously not politically engaged, have joined protests and campaigns in support of Palestine.
The case of Claire, a 52-year-old woman living in Scotland, is an example of this change. She describes herself as a quiet woman who works in the administration, reads and takes care of her dog. Until a few years ago, she did not consider herself politically active. But after reading the book by Palestinian doctor Izzeldin Abuelaish and following the developments after the attack on October 7, 2023, she began to participate in protests, write letters to MPs and raise funds for humanitarian aid in Palestine. A turning point for her was the response of the British authorities to the pro-Palestinian protests. When former Home Secretary Suella Braverman described the protests as “hate marches,” Claire says she became even more determined not to remain indifferent.
Marji, a 70-year-old from Colchester, also says she has never taken part in a protest before. She first marched on Armistice Day in 2023, holding a sign that read “Ceasefire Now.” For her, supporting Palestine is linked to the belief that Britain must respect international law and protect civilians.
Both women have since ended up facing legal problems due to suspicions of supporting Palestine Action, an organization that was banned by British authorities in 2025. The arrests have sparked a wide-ranging debate in Britain about the line between counter-terrorism measures and citizens’ rights to protest, organize, and express themselves politically. The phenomenon is not limited to individuals. In recent years, various pro-Palestine organizations have been established in sectors of British society, including Artists for Free Palestine and Workers for Free Palestine.
The protests have been massive. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets of British cities to demand a ceasefire, a ban on arms sales to Israel, and a change in the British government’s policy towards the conflict.
At the same time, tensions have risen. British authorities have cracked down on some protesters and police have warned against using slogans that could be considered incitement to racial hatred. This has made the issue even more sensitive, especially given the debate over anti-Semitism. Marji, who says she is of Jewish descent on her grandmother’s side, argues that opposing the policies of the Israeli government should not be equated with hatred of Jews. This distinction is one of the main issues in the British debate about the protests for Palestine.