British Palestinians and Allies Mobilise for Mass Nakba March in London
All eyes are on central London today, Saturday 16 May 2026, as the British capital prepares for the National Nakba 78 March — an event expected to become one of the largest Palestine solidarity demonstrations in modern British history.
British Palestinians, alongside solidarity activists, trade unionists and human rights campaigners, are mobilising for what organisers believe could exceed half a million participants, in a collective show of support for Palestinian rights and opposition to the ongoing war and continued British political backing for Israel.
In what organisers describe as a defining moment, central London is set to transform into a vast space of political and humanitarian solidarity. The march is intended not only to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, but also to deliver a direct political message to the British government demanding an immediate end to the assault, amid growing attempts to discredit and restrict the pro-Palestine movement in Britain.
“Stop the lies about our movement”
Ahead of the demonstration, organising groups — including the Palestinian Forum in Britain, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Friends of Al-Aqsa — released a strongly worded statement titled:
“Stop the Lies About the Palestine Movement.”
The statement rejected claims attributed to the Metropolitan Police suggesting the march intended to pass near synagogues, describing the allegations as baseless and likely to inflame fear and tension.
Organisers stressed that “thousands of Jewish people march with us,” arguing that the movement’s opposition is directed not at any religion or community, but at Israeli government policies, what organisers described as genocide in Gaza, and British political support for those policies.
The coalition also criticised the decision to allow a far-right mobilisation to take place in political central London on the same day as the Nakba commemoration, while calling on police to honour commitments to maintain a secure buffer zone around Trafalgar Square to ensure demonstrator safety.
A platform featuring voices of grief, resistance and solidarity
Today’s platform includes a wide range of speakers whose presence reflects the breadth of the Palestine solidarity movement in Britain.
Among the featured speakers are:
- Ghassan Abu-Sittah, the British-Palestinian surgeon who treated victims during the war in Gaza
- Rafeef Ziadah, widely recognised for her political poetry and advocacy
- Palestinian artist Hossam Al-Madhoun
- Palestinian journalists Ahmad Alnaouq and Hala Hanina
One of the most symbolically significant participants is expected to be Stephen Kapos, whose appearance organisers describe as a powerful response to attempts to portray the movement as antisemitic, while reaffirming universal opposition to injustice regardless of the perpetrator.
Senior political and trade union figures are also expected to participate, including:
- Diane Abbott
- Zarah Sultana
- John McDonnell
as well as major union leaders including Daniel Kebede, Fran Heathcote and Andrea Egan.
A message from the Palestinian Forum in Britain
In a message circulated to supporters and community members, the Palestinian Forum in Britain called for mass participation in the Nakba 78 march, describing the event as an opportunity to remind the world of “Britain’s historic responsibility for the Nakba of the Palestinian people.”
The message stated:
“Today we march together on the 78th anniversary of the Nakba to remind the world, from the heart of London, that Palestine is still bleeding, and that the British government bears historic responsibility for the catastrophe inflicted on our people.
Your presence today matters. Join in large numbers with your families. Carry the keys of return, images of prisoners and hostages, and symbols of remembrance, so Palestine remains alive in public conscience and memory.
The ongoing massacres in Gaza and southern Lebanon are clear evidence that the violence continues. As long as the occupation continues, the Nakba continues too.
We are not connected to any other demonstrations taking place today, nor do we approach far-right marches. Our demonstration is for Palestine, against racism and hatred, and committed to legal guidelines and agreed protest routes.”
The statement concluded by calling for a “large and united presence” to demonstrate that the Palestinian cause “will not disappear, and will be carried from one generation to the next until Palestine is free.”
March details
- Date: Saturday 16 May 2026
- Assembly time: 12:00pm
- Volunteer and steward arrival: 10:00am
- Location: Exhibition Road, London
Participating organisations
The march is organised by a broad coalition including:
- Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB)
- Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC)
- Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA)
- Muslim Association of Britain
- Stop the War Coalition
- Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
- United Against Tommy Robinson
- Stand Up To Racism
More than a demonstration
For organisers and supporters alike, the Nakba 78 march is being framed as more than a single protest.
They describe it as part of a growing civil rights movement in Britain — one bringing together human rights defenders, trade unionists, politicians, faith groups and anti-racism campaigners in opposition to what they see as marginalisation, political smears and restrictions on solidarity with Palestine.
As hundreds of thousands prepare to march through London today, organisers hope the demonstration will send a message impossible to ignore:
That justice and freedom for Palestinians remain central demands — not only in the Middle East, but in Britain’s own public square.
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