UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned planned student-led pro-Palestinian protests on October 7, describing them as un-British. The date marks the second anniversary of the 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, which left around 1,200 people dead and triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
Starmer’s comments were published in The Times, where he urged students to show restraint and respect on a day of remembrance. He warned that demonstrations on such a date could inflame divisions and contribute to antisemitic tensions.
The planned marches are set to take place at multiple universities across the UK, including London, Manchester, and Birmingham. Student organizers say the protests aim to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for stronger action from Western governments.
University officials and security agencies have been monitoring the situation, with the Home Office advising that protesters must adhere to public order laws and avoid actions that could breach anti-terror or hate speech legislation.
