By Tom Cheshire, Data and Forensics Correspondent
The march begins with the sound of drums, and the protests have maintained a steady rhythm over the past year, making this the 20th time they have been held in London.
But it was just as loud as ever, maybe even louder. Thousands of people were shouting.
This was also because it commemorated one year of conflict. But also because that conflict is currently growing.
A new sign has appeared saying “Hands off Lebanon”. And we discovered a new and amazing flag. It was the Iranian flag.
The march has been controversial from the beginning, and continues to be so.
In addition to chanting “From the River to the Sea,” organizers said it was a march to commemorate “a year of genocide,” an accusation Israel vehemently rejects.
And there was almost no mention of Hamas or the Israeli hostages it still holds.
I asked one of the march’s organizers, John Rees, national director of the Coalition to Stop the War, why there had been no calls for anything to be done, given that Hamas launched its attack on October 7th. asked.
“I think people have memories that last longer than a year.
“What you have to remember is that every year since the founding of Israel, more Palestinians have been killed than Israelis…When people look at the whole history, the main starting point is October 7th. isn’t it.”
In response, I asked him if he thought what Hamas did about a year ago was unacceptable.
“True, but in war, the objective is to stop the war. Especially when it’s so disproportionate, it’s okay to just say what one side is doing.”
There were pro-Israel counter-protests, much smaller but equally passionate.
Once again, the broader war brought new attitudes, new differences.
One of the protesters, a woman named Eve, said: “On October 8th they launched a rocket attack on Israel. They are the invaders and 70,000 Israelis were forced to flee their homes. ” he said.
“Fires are raging all over northern Israel, and we hear nothing about it!”
Other isolated clashes occurred during the march, resulting in several arrests, but the march was peaceful, especially considering its size.
But the feelings on both sides remain visceral. Even thousands of miles away from the conflict, there is nothing in common here.
