The United Kingdom government has prohibited a pro-Palestinian march scheduled to take place in London on Sunday after police warned the event could trigger serious public disorder.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she approved a request from the Metropolitan Police Service to ban the annual Al-Quds Day procession, citing concerns about possible clashes between demonstrators and counter-protesters.
According to Mahmood, the decision was taken to prevent “serious public disorder,” particularly amid rising tensions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“This decision was necessary given the scale of the protest and the likelihood of multiple counter-protests,” the minister said, adding that authorities would ensure “the full force of the law” is applied against anyone spreading hatred or inciting division.
Police confirmed that while the march itself has been banned, a static demonstration will still be permitted under strict conditions. Officials noted that this is the first time a protest march has been prohibited in the UK since 2012.
The event is typically organised by the Islamic Human Rights Commission, which condemned the government’s move, describing it as politically motivated.
In a statement, the organisation said it “strongly condemns” the decision and is considering legal action to challenge the ban. It also accused the Metropolitan Police of unfairly portraying the group as supportive of the Iranian government without evidence.
The group maintains that the annual demonstration is intended to show solidarity with Palestinians and other oppressed communities worldwide.
Al-Quds Day — named after the Arabic word for Jerusalem — was first established in 1979 following the Iranian Revolution and is observed each year in several countries, particularly across the Muslim world. The event focuses on opposition to Israeli control of East Jerusalem.
Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan of the Metropolitan Police said authorities determined that the planned march presented “unique risks,” partly due to its origins and the organisation behind it.
“The threshold for banning a protest is high and we do not take such decisions lightly,” Adelekan said. “However, our assessment is that this event could bring large numbers of protesters and counter-protesters together in a highly tense environment.”
He added that police also considered the broader geopolitical climate, including heightened tensions in the Middle East involving Iran and its allies.
The order banning the march — along with any related counter-protest marches — will remain in force for one month starting Wednesday, authorities said.
