UK home secretary bans al-Quds march in London after Met Police request

The UK Home Secretary banned the annual Al-Quds Day march in London, scheduled for this Sunday, following a request from the Metropolitan Police, citing risks of public disorder due to the volatile situation in the Middle East. This marks the first ban on a protest march since 2012. The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), the march's organizer, condemned the ban, claiming pressure from the "Zionist lobby," and announced a static protest will proceed instead. The ban, effective from Wednesday for one month, covers both the Al-Quds march and associated counterprotests. Al-Quds Day, initiated by Iran in 1979, is an annual international event expressing support for Palestine and opposition to the Israeli occupation.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood banned the annual al-Quds Day march in London this Sunday after a request from the Metropolitan Police, citing concerns about potential "serious public disorder" due to the scale of the protest, multiple counter-protests, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The march, which has previously drawn criticism for its perceived support of the Iranian regime and the display of Hezbollah flags, has also been targeted by counter-protests, including those organized by far-right groups. The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), the march's organizer, condemned the ban and is seeking legal advice, but confirmed a static protest will proceed. Police stated that previous marches led to arrests for supporting terrorist organizations and antisemitic hate crimes, and that the decision to ban the march was based on a risk assessment of this specific protest and counter-protests.