About 300,000 pro-Palestinian protesters marched through central London on Saturday with police making dozens of arrests as they sought to avert clashes between the marchers and groups opposed to the rally. The pro-Palestinian march drew counter-protesters from far-right groups on Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of World War One, involving commemorations of Britain's war dead.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it was disrespectful to hold the rally on Armistice Day, and ministers had called for the cancellation of the march - the biggest so far in a series to show support for the Palestinians and call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Police said there were "significant numbers" of counter-protesters present in central London, and skirmishes broke out between them and police near the Cenotaph war memorial, close to the Houses of Parliament and in Westminster.

Some of the right-wing protesters threw bottles at officers, and police vehicles sped around the city to respond to reports of tensions in the streets. 

London's Met Police said it had made dozens of arrests of counter-protesters in a move designed to keep the peace, as far-right groups had tried to get close to the pro-Palestinian rally. Another 10 arrests were made for other offences.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Scotland's first minister, Humza Yousaf, blamed the UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman for emboldening the far-right after she accused police earlier in the week of favoring "pro-Palestinian mobs."

READ MORE

Gazan charity helping animals on the frontline

Tusk close to becoming Polish President

Gaza's biggest hospital attacked

Police said the pro-Palestinian rally had a "very large" turnout, adding they would not allow the two groups to meet.

As they gathered at the start point, pro-Palestinian protesters could be heard shouting "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free", a rallying cry which is viewed by many Jews as antisemitic and a call for Israel's eradication.

Others carried banners reading "Free Palestine", "Stop the Massacre" and "Stop Bombing Gaza" as they walked along the route of the march, which was due to end at the U.S. Embassy.

Since Hamas's assault in southern Israel on October 7, there has been strong support and sympathy for Israel from Western governments, including Britain's, and many citizens. But the Israeli military response has also prompted anger, with weekly protests in London demanding a ceasefire.

In Paris, several thousand protesters, including some left-wing lawmakers, marched with pro-Palestinian banners and flags on Saturday to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday