Thousands march in London for far-right, pro-Palestine protests
Key takeaways
- By: FRANCE 24 Police forces stand in front of the far right Unite the Kingdom march in London on May 16, 2026.
- London's Metropolitan Police said ahead of the duelling events that it would mount one of its largest operations in recent years, as the British capital also hosts the FA Cup Final.
- The force was set to deploy 4,000 officers – alongside horses, dogs, drones and helicopters – to manage Robinson's so-called "Unite the Kingdom" march and the rival rally marking Nakba Day.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Police are patrolling the streets of London as thousands of protesters march in the UK capital on Saturday for two major demonstrations, the annual march to commemorate the Palestinian Nakba and a rally staged by British far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
By: FRANCE 24 Police forces stand in front of the far right Unite the Kingdom march in London on May 16, 2026. © Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP Thousands of people began rallying in London Saturday at a march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson and a counter-demonstration fused with a pro-Palestinian protest, amid a huge police presence.
London's Metropolitan Police said ahead of the duelling events that it would mount one of its largest operations in recent years, as the British capital also hosts the FA Cup Final.