Massive Hamas-Linked Protest Sparks Fears of U.S. Embassy Attack

A large protest in London calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war that's scheduled for Saturday is raising concerns about the potential impact on the U.S. Embassy.

Huge numbers of pro-Palestinian protesters are expected to march from Hyde Park to the embassy. British lawmakers tried unsuccessfully to convince organizers to postpone the protest, and with clashes with far-right groups expected, police have already asked for understanding in how they handle the event.

The National March for Palestine is expected to attract 1 million people and has generated worry given the event's proximity to the U.S. Embassy. On Friday, London's Metropolitan Police expressed concern about breakaway groups whose "behavior has been escalating and becoming more violent and distressing to the public," according to a statement.

To try to limit the potential for disorder, the Metropolitan Police said Friday they were closing off certain areas next to the U.S. Embassy as well as the Israeli Embassy.

The U.S. Embassy instructed Americans to avoid the area where demonstrations are taking place and to "exercise caution" if they get caught up in the demonstration.

"Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate to violence. Do not attempt to drive or walk through a demonstration," the embassy said.

Six groups are involved in organizing the march, including the Muslim Association of Britain. Muhammad Kathem Sawalha, a former leader of Hamas, is credited as being a founder of the MBA, according to The Telegraph.

Nicola Richards, the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism, told The Telegraph that the march's connection to Sawalha shows that it's "not about peace."

Sawalha, 62, was the "mastermind" of much of Hamas' political and military strategy, according to the BBC, and was indicted in the United States in 2004 for financing the group. He was given British citizenship in the early 2000s.

Zaher Birawi, a leader of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, which is also organizing the demonstration, has met with the leader of Hamas, as did Ismael Patel, the founder of a third group helping to organize the march.

"The involvement of these people proves that these marches are not about peace, they are about stirring up Jew hate and a hatred of Western values," Andrew Percy, a member of Parliament, told The Telegraph. "These people have no interest in peace, and it is time the U.K. stopped indulging their hateful ideology."

Newsweek reached out to the Muslim Association of Britain for comment by email but did not receive a response in time for publication.

The war between Hamas and Israel that began after the former's October 7 attack has brought fierce debate around the world. Pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators have clashed at protests, and officials have voiced concerns about violence against both Muslim and Jewish people.

Saturday marks the fourth consecutive weekend of pro-Palestinian protests in the U.K., and police are preparing for potential violence. The Democratic Football Lads Alliance, a right-wing organization, called for men to mobilize and resist the protest. Tommy Robinson, leader of the organization, asked that people be peaceful but also prepare to defend "if we need to defend," according to The Independent.

Nick Lowles, CEO of Hope not Hate, an anti-racism and anti-extremism movement in the U.K., told The Independent: "What remains to be seen is whether these groups have the power to mobilize in the way that they could several years ago."

He continued: "Tommy Robinson, his supporters, football hooligans and other far-right groups have failed in recent years to drum up sizable numbers, but their appetite for confrontation could still pose a risk even if there is a small presence."