Thousands of protesters rallied in central London today in support of the Palestinians for the fourth consecutive Saturday, calling for an “immediate ceasefire” as Israel pounds the Gaza Strip following deadly attacks by Hamas on its territory on October 7.

Demonstrators gathered in the afternoon in Trafalgar Square, which was covered in Palestinian flags and placards reading “cease fire” or “end the carnage” in Gaza.

For Sama Dababneh, a 26-year-old Jordanian business consultant, “this is a bittersweet moment because we are protesting something terrible… but we are all here, on the street.” “We spend the whole week with our minds immersed in the news, it’s exhausting, so it’s our only form of outlet, the only thing that allows us to discharge,” the young woman told AFP.

“We are trying to get our government to approve, at least, a ceasefire… I don’t understand how we can propose such a measure and have it rejected (at the United Nations). This makes no sense,” decried Abdullah Hussain, holding the hand of his two five-year-old sons.

According to London police, 30,000 protesters took part in this rally in the center of the British capital, British media reported. Earlier, hundreds of people had taken part in local morning rallies in several London boroughs.

Dozens of other rallies were organized today in Bristol, Liverpool and Oxford, as well as in other European capitals such as Paris or Berlin.

According to London police, 11 people were arrested during this fourth day of mobilization.

The next demonstration will take place in London next Saturday, on Armistice Day, which British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called “provocative and disrespectful”, expressing concern about possible damage to monuments.

Organizers of these marches, which have drawn tens of thousands of people since early October, have defended their peaceful nature and assured that the march will avoid these points.