London protests LIVE: Thousands taking part in major pro-Palestine march to Whitehall
Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators have joined a march through central London today.
The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions on the National March for Palestine, which is organised by the Palestine Coalition, and a pro-Israel counter demo by Stop the Hate to “minimise the risk of serious disruption to communities”.
The pro-Palestine march is being held to mark the third anniversary of the war in Gaza that followed the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
The force has predicted between 7,000 and 10,000 demonstrators at the pro-Palestine march, which is now underway on its route to Whitehall from the Embankment.
The counter-protest began at around 11am outside nearby New Scotland Yard.
A large number of officers are policing the protests.
Protesters at both marches have been warned that they could be arrested if they refuse to remove face coverings and there will be a zero-tolerance for hate crime. It comes days after demonstrators clashed at October 7 protests in central London.
Scroll down for the latest updates from the protests.
Live updates
Watch: Pro-Palestine protesters start marching through central London
Here is the moment Pro-Palestine protesters began their march from Embankment towards Whitehall.
Thousands attend pro-Palestine march
Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters marched along Victoria Embankment towards Westminster Bridge.
Pro-Israel, Stop the Hate, counter-protesters chanted “terrorist supporters off our streets” as the march passed by their gathering point at New Scotland Yard.
Pro-Palestine protesters chanted “in our thousands, in our millions we are all Palestinians” and “Shame on you” in response to the pro-Israel protesters.
The groups were kept separate with metal barriers and a row of police officers.
Pro-Palestine protesters march through the streets of London
Pro-Palestine protesters paint their faces and hold up huge banners as they march through central London.
Large crowds arrive for pro-Palestine march
Large crowds have congregated for the March for Palestine protest through central London.
Pro-Palestine protesters prepare to march
Pro-Palestinian protesters have assembled ready to march on their scheduled route through central London.
Counter-protest begins
Counter-protests have started outside Met Police headquarters in New Scotland Yard, with images showing attendees waving Israeli flags and holding up placards.
Police say a 'large number of officers' will be present for the protests
The Metropolitan Police has said people should “expect to see a large number of our officers” ahead of planned protests in central London today.
In a statement, the service said: “Our policing operation in response to protests today has begun and people can expect to see a large number of our officers in central London.”
They added that officers “have the power to require anyone wearing a face covering to remove it if they reasonably believe it is being worn to conceal their identity.”
Pro-Palestine supporters seen gathering outside Whitehall Gardens
Protesters from Stop the War Coalition have been seen gathering outside Whitehall Gardens on Embankment.
Pictures show the protesters setting up stalls to distribute merchandise and placards ready for the imminent march.
Counter-protesters gather outside New Scotland Yard
Counter-protesters from Stop the Hate UK have been seen gathering outside the Met Police headquarters at New Scotland Yard.
Those gathered can be seen waving Israeli flags and holding up signs reading: “STOP POLICING JEW HATE!”
'We will not be told where we can stand,' say counter-protesters
Counter-protesters from Stop the Hate UK have said they “we will not be told where we can stand,” ahead of a rally outside Scotland Yard later today.
Police have imposed conditions on today’s protests, including on the use of face coverings and masks.
Stop the Hate UK released a statement on Thursday, following counter-protests organised on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
The group said: “Yesterday the Met showed us, again, that it thinks Jewish rights are negotiable.
“They are not.
“We will not be managed. We will not be moved on. We will not be told where we can stand while those who glorify Hamas are escorted through our streets.
“Jewish people have the same rights as everyone else in this country: to assemble, to protest, to be heard.”