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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Michael Howie

Jeremy Corbyn to join pro-Palestine march in London and demand Labour halts arms sales to Israel

Jeremy Corbyn is attending a pro-Palestine demonstration in central London on Saturday in his first act as newly re-elected Independent MP for Islington North.

Mr Corbyn will call on the new Labour government to immediately end arms to Israel and recognise Palestine as a state.

Mr Corbyn stormed to victory over the party he once led in north London - winning 24,120 votes against Labour candidate Praful Nargund’s 16,873.

Following the declaration, Mr Corbyn said his victory proves that “dissent cannot be crushed without consequences.”

Mr Corbyn had won his seat for Labour at every general election since 1983 but was suspended from the party and barred from running by Labour after his leadership was dogged by antisemitism allegations.

Speaking ahead of the lunchtime march, Mr Corbyn said: “Palestine was on the ballot in this election - and I promise to stay true to my word to stand up for the Palestinian people.

“We said it to the Tories, and now we will say it to Labour: a government that sells arms to Israel is a government that is complicit in crimes against humanity. A change in government doesn’t change the facts that the people of Gaza are still being murdered in their sleep. And it doesn’t change the fact that there is only one path to a just and lasting peace: an end to the occupation of Palestine.”

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) march is assembling at Russell Square at noon and marching to Parliament Square.

Protesters will follow a route down Southampton Row, Kingsway, Aldwych and into Victoria Embankment, stopping just short of Portcullis House for speeches.

A counter-protest by a group called Enough is Enough is also expected to be held.

About 700 Met officers will be on duty to police the events.

Superintendent Martin Kirby, who is leading policing in London this weekend, said: “As always the goal is to protect the right to peaceful protest while minimising the impact of these events, including on London’s Jewish communities.

“Police do not have the power to ban protest unless there is a risk of serious disorder.

“We have been liaising with the PSC throughout this week and will have a significant number of officers on duty to maintain law and order.

“Officers will be on hand to ensure the events pass off without issue and will step in to deal with any crime or disorder should it occur.

“We will be visible and engaging with those involved in the events and if you see anything of concern we would ask you to talk to officers in the area.”

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