London, 11 August 2025 — On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of demonstrators, including relatives of Israeli hostages taken during Hamas-led attacks on October 7th, marched through central London demanding their release and imploring Prime Minister Keir Starmer to prioritize this issue in light of growing international pressure for recognition of a Palestinian state.
Stop the Hate UK and Jewish community organizations collaborated in organizing a “National March for Hostages,” beginning in Holborn’s Lincoln’s Inn Fields and concluding at Downing Street. Protesters held placards bearing images of hostages as they petitioned UK government. The Standard | AL Monitor | YouTube | NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima + 6Whilst The Independent +9
At the center of the March was one clear demand: freeing all 50 Israeli hostages still held captive in Gaza — approximately 20 are believed to be alive — before any government move towards recognition of a Palestinian state.
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Tensions flared at a demonstration today when counter-protesters shouted slogans such as ‘Free Palestine,” prompting police intervention. Three arrests were made by them for incidents ranging from common assault to racially aggravated public order offences (The Sun +3, The Guardian +3 and Standard).
Prominent voices addressed the crowd. Sir Ephraim Mirvis, UK Chief Rabbi, sent a pointed message to government representatives: “How would you ever be able to live with yourself if you recognised a Palestinian state led by terrorist groups at a time when hostages remain imprisoned underground in Gaza?” The Standard +3
The Guardian Both publications carried this article.
One of the most emotional contributions from Ayelet Svatitzky, who lost both her brothers to murder, Roi and Nadav Popplewell, was her strong opposition to recognising Palestine before freeing hostages as “an incentive to Hamas.” (ITVX+4Teatrul The Independent.).
+4 The protest came against the backdrop of Labour leader Keir Starmer’s pledge that Britain will formally recognise a Palestinian state by September unless Israel meets a series of conditions including ceasefires, humanitarian improvements and hostage release arrangements. Www.wikipedia.org + 6 Www.independent + 6
Protesters maintain that hostage issues should not become collateral damage in this geopolitical power play.
Attracting even greater symbolic weight from this demonstration was the direct appeal by hostage families. Adam Ma’anit, cousin of late hostage Tsachi Idan (who died while held captive), opposed Starmer’s approach by saying that government’s foreign policy got it wrong and it needed to correct and refocus on hostages instead.
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Sunday’s demonstration marks the latest in a wave of protests that expose deep divisions across the UK. Pro-Palestinian rallies continue to press for statehood recognition while this demonstration focused on families suffering anguish instead.
As tensions escalate, the government finds itself walking a delicate line between diplomatic and humanitarian imperatives. Over the coming weeks, symbolic recognition must be accorded without diluting very real hopes tied to hostages’ return and lives disrupted by conflict.