Pro-Palestine protesters urge new UK PM Burnham to take tougher stance on Israel

Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters marched in London on Saturday, July 18, 2026, ahead of incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham taking office. Organized by the Palestine Coalition, the "National March for Palestine" urged Burnham to adopt a tougher stance on Israel, including imposing wide-ranging sanctions and a full arms embargo. Protesters displayed Palestinian and Iranian flags, chanted slogans like "Zionists are not welcome here," and some held controversial signs, including one referencing the Holocaust. Eight arrests were made for offenses including assault and racially aggravated public order. Burnham had previously stated his party's initial response to Israel's military action in Gaza "was too slow to call for a ceasefire" and pledged to "do more to strengthen our approach" and put pressure on the Israeli government through further sanctions.