Palestine protesters urge Andy Burnham to act on Israel – the-independent.com

Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters marched in central London, urging incoming Labour leader Andy Burnham to adopt a strong stance against Israel. The National March for Palestine, organized by the Palestine Coalition, proceeded from Russell Square to Westminster, with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at the forefront. Corbyn called on Burnham to "stop it, change it and shut the arms supply to Israel," asserting that Israel "deserves the toughest sanctions against it."

• The Metropolitan Police enforced strict conditions for the march and made eight arrests for various offenses, including assault and racially aggravated public order offenses, at a small counter-demonstration.
• Protesters carried Palestinian flags and banners with messages such as "Stop stealing Palestinian land" and "Ceasefire now."
• Burnham had previously stated his party "didn’t get it right" on the issue, pledging to strengthen their approach by considering further sanctions and calling for "measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements."
• However, Burnham stopped short of accusing Israel of genocide, stating that it is a matter for international courts, though he acknowledged "increasing evidence that war crimes appear to have been committed."