A major pro-Palestinian march began in London on Saturday after clashes between far-right protesters and police launched a major operation to prevent clashes between the two groups, Reuters reported.

The pro-Palestinian march, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people, also drew counter-protesters from right-wing groups to the capital on a day of commemoration for British war veterans.

London’s Metropolitan Police said in a post on the X social network that it had faced aggression from counter-protesters who were in the city in “significant numbers”, adding that they would not allow them to confront the pro-Palestinian protestors.

“We will use all available powers and tactics to prevent this,” the police said.

The National March for Palestine is the latest in a series of rallies in the British capital to support Palestinians and demand an end to Israeli fire on Gaza.

Ministers have called for Saturday’s march to be canceled because it coincides with Armistice Day, which marks the end of World War One and commemorates those who died in war.

A huge pro-Palestinian march

Ben Jamal, one of the organizers of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), told Reuters that up to a million people could join the rally. He said he would be peaceful but aware of the “tense situation today.”

As they gathered near the starting point of the march, pro-Palestinian protesters could be heard chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Many Jews perceive this as anti-Semitic and call for the destruction of Israel. .

Clashes between police and far-right counter-protesters took place earlier Saturday near the Cenotaph, where some counter-protesters chanted: “We want our country back.”

Members of right-wing groups later threw bottles at police in a separate incident in Chinatown, police said.

Police said almost 2,000 officers would be deployed to prevent unrest, and an unprecedented number of officers were deployed at the Cenotaph on Thursday.

Deputy Commissioner Laurence Taylor said on Friday that Saturday would be “difficult and intense”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the pro-Palestinian Armistice Day rally disrespectful.

While previous PSC marches have been generally peaceful, more than 100 people have been arrested for offences, including showing support for Hamas, which is banned as a terrorist organization in Britain, or displaying offensive slogans.

Following the Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7, Western governments, including the UK, and many citizens expressed strong support and sympathy for Israel. But Israel’s military response has also sparked anger, with weekly protests in London calling for a ceasefire.