Large crowds filled central London on Saturday as two separate demonstrations converged in the capital, one led by far-right groups linked to Tommy Robinson and the other a major pro-Palestine march marking the anniversary of the Nakba and calling attention to Israel’s ongoing genocidal war in Gaza.

Police deployed substantial resources across key areas of the city in anticipation of possible disorder between the two gatherings. Authorities confirmed several arrests during the day, as officers worked to keep the movements separated while they moved through different parts of central London.

At the far-right gathering, participants were seen carrying British and Israeli flags, alongside placards containing anti-immigration and anti-Muslim messaging. Speakers, including Tommy Robinson, whose legal name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, called for political organisation ahead of future elections and advanced a nationalist agenda centred on migration and identity.

In parallel, tens of thousands joined a pro-Palestine march, expressing solidarity with civilians in Gaza and across the occupied territories. Demonstrators urged an end to British political and military backing connected to Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza and called for accountability over the large-scale killing of civilians and the destruction of essential infrastructure.

The day’s events unfolded against a backdrop of growing concern among rights organisations and advocacy groups about tightening restrictions on public demonstrations and solidarity activism across Britain and parts of Europe, particularly in relation to Israel’s ongoing genocidal war in Gaza.