Thousands of demonstrators marched from Russell Square in central London towards Whitehall, calling for an end to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. They waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans like “free, free Palestine” and “stop bombing Iran” on Saturday.

British foreign secretary David Lammy expressed concerns about the situation in the Middle East, urging Iran to engage in negotiations with the US. Counter-protesters from a pro-Israeli group, Stop The Hate, were present near Waterloo Bridge, leading to confrontations and arrests by the police.

Mr. Lammy, along with his French and German counterparts, met with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva to discuss diplomatic solutions. He emphasized the need for Iran to take an “off ramp” and engage in talks with the Americans, highlighting the seriousness of the current situation.

While the US and Europe are pushing for Iran to agree to zero enrichment of uranium as a starting point for negotiations, Iran insists that it will not negotiate as long as Israel continues its airstrikes. The ongoing conflict between the two sides has resulted in continued hostilities, with both sides exchanging fire.

The Gaza conflict began when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel in October 2023, leading to casualties and hostages. Israel's military response has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, displacement, and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.