British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the plans by pro-Palestinian demonstrators to hold a march in central London on Armistice Day as "provocative and disrespectful." The police stated that they would do everything possible to prevent any disturbances. The Metropolitan Police mentioned that "pro-Palestinian demonstrators intend to hold a large protest" on November 11, the anniversary of the end of World War I, but they do not plan to protest on November 12 when official remembrance events take place.
Previous pro-Palestinian demonstrations passed through the Whitehall area, which houses government ministries and the World War I memorial. Sunak stated on social media platform X that "planning protests on Armistice Day is provocative and shows a lack of respect, with a clear and present danger of desecrating the memorial and other war memorials, which would be an insult to the British people and the values we stand for."
He added, "The right to remember those who made the greatest sacrifices for these freedoms must be protected, peacefully and with dignity." He also mentioned that he has asked Home Secretary Suella Braverman to support the police in doing whatever is necessary to protect the sanctity of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
The Metropolitan Police announced that they would conduct a "large policing and security operation" on November 11 and 12, and would use all available powers to ensure that anyone intending to disrupt the event would not succeed.
