Thousands of demonstrators gathered in London to demand that the new government cease the UK's involvement in what they term the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Despite the rain, the protesters remained resolute. "Regardless of the rain, what we need to remember is what the Palestinians are going through, and that is unimaginable horror. Tents filled with water, so this is nothing compared to their plight," said Rehang Ali, a former independent parliamentary candidate.
This protest, the 16th since October last year, attracted tens of thousands who aimed to send a clear message to the incoming Labour government.
"The public were calling for a ceasefire long before the Labour Party started to move in that direction. We also now know that public opinion backs ending arms sales to Israel. So we're going to be pressing all of those demands," said Ben Jamal of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
The demonstration aimed to bring 100,000 people to Parliament as Keir Starmer prepares to take office as Prime Minister. The recent UK election resulted in a catastrophic defeat for Conservative PM Rishi Sunak, leading to a landslide victory for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
In his first foreign policy announcement, the new Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, expressed support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, indicating his willingness to work diplomatically with US President Joe Biden to achieve this.
James Schneider, Communications Director for Progressive International, criticized British policy for being too aligned with the US State Department, arguing it should reflect the views of the British people who overwhelmingly oppose supporting the destruction of Gaza and arming Israel.
Early in the conflict, Keir Starmer defended Israel's right to besiege Gaza, a stance that drew severe criticism and contributed to the success of five pro-Palestine independent candidates in the general election, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
"Is it right that this country should facilitate a supply of weapons through the RAF base of Akrotiri into Israel?" questioned Corbyn, now an independent MP.
While the election campaign has ended, protesters in London vow to continue their efforts to end UK complicity in the US-Israeli actions in Gaza with renewed urgency and determination.
