Thousands of people marched in central London to demand a right to determination for the Palestinian people and called for Israel to be held accountable for violations of international law.

The National Demonstration for Palestine followed a week-long exchange of air raids and rockets that killed at least 25 Palestinians and four Israelis.

Protesters gathered at Portland Place and marched to Whitehall, where several speakers – including dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah, the rapper Lowkey, political activist Tariq Ali, Stop the War Coalition’s Salma Yaqoob and MPs Richard Bergen and Diane Abbott – delivered speeches to the crowd.

Palestinian ambassador to the UK Dr Husam Zomlot stood on the stage next to Ahed Tamimi, the protester who became a globally known after slapping an Israeli soldier in the West Bank last year.

Speaking to the crowd, he said: “I see British people from the left, from the right, from across the board. You know why? Because this is not a fight between left and right, it’s a fight between right and wrong.”

National Demonstration for Palestine Show all 57 1 /57 National Demonstration for Palestine National Demonstration for Palestine Protest icon, Ahed Tamimi meets supporters of the Palestine cause at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Marie Berry National Demonstration for Palestine Rapper and activist Lowkey meet a supporter of the Palestine cause at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Saskia Whitfield National Demonstration for Palestine Dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah meets supporters of the Palestine cause at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 National Demonstration for Palestine Journalists report from the scene of the demonstration at Whitehall during the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters of the Palestine cause pose for a picture at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Tariq Ali speaks to the crowd at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Diane Abbott at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Shamil Jorda from Friends of Al Aqsa (left) said it was important to advocate self determination for Palestine, however, he said "it is up to the Palestinian people to decide what solution they want ” and that the UK government needs to ensure it implements international law and abides by UN resolutions. Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters of the Palestine cause at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Protest icon Ahed Tamimi speaks to the media at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine MP Richard Bergen gives a speech at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Palestinian protest icon Ahed Tamimi gives a speech at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Palestinian protest icon Ahed Tamimi gives a speech at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi became a global sensation after she slapped an Israeli soldier at the West Bank last year. She is stood here next to Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Dr Husam Zomlot who introduced her to the crowd at the at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Protestors show solidarity for Palestine at at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi became a global sensation after she slapped an Israeli soldier at the West Bank last year. She is stood here next to Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Dr Husam Zomlot who introduced her to the crowd at the at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Dr Husam Zomlot speaks to the crowd at the at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Zita Holborn, national vice chairman of the Public and Commercial Services Union and chair of Black Activists Rising Against Cuts Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Member of the media backstage at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Stewards back stage at the at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Ahed Tamimi with her father and supporters back stage at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine A supporter listens intently to a speech at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine A speaker at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Salma Yaqoob at Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019. She told The Independent the UK and US need to be “honest brokers” because its role “has been too one-sided.” She added: “First off, the UK can stop arms trading with Israel. There needs to be a social and political boycott of the state of Israel and people need to keep to the promises they made years ago. The UK needs to take a moral leadership in that, but instead, we’re seeing the very opposite.” Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Ahed Tamimi with her father Bessem, back stage at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine A supporter at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Celtic Football Club supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine An Indonesian family show their support at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Catherine Charrett, a lecturer at Queen Mary and Westfield College’s School of Politics and International Relations told The Independent it was crucial to bring an end to Israel’s apartheid system. She said: “You cannot continue to treat a population as if they’re targets of war to be used for military practice. Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine A supporter at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine The crowd of protestors included members of ultra Orthodox Jewish community, the Haredi, who said they were there to show solidarity because they did not support the oppression of the Palestinian people. Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine The crowd of protestors included members of ultra Orthodox Jewish community, the Haredi, who said they were there to show solidarity because they did not support the oppression of the Palestinian people. Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Football Against Apartheid at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Flags and banners at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Flags and banners at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine A speaker at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent National Demonstration for Palestine Supporters at the National Demonstration for Palestine on Saturday 11 May 2019 Anu Shukla/The Independent

Ms Tamimi, who will study English in the UK before starting a course in International Law at Birzeit University in Ramallah, told the crowd: “I want to thank you all. It was your voice that kept me strong while being in the Israeli prison. I want to thank you for your support and solidarity, for everything that you are doing to advocate our cause.

“I don’t want to speak today about our suffering. We choose to suffer for freedom and justice. Injustice is everywhere. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Ms Tamimi’s father, Bassem, later told The Independent: “It’s very important for us to celebrate the Nakba day to remind the world what the British and the Israelis did to the Palestinians in 1948. We are seeking peace and we will continue our struggle until we get our freedom and justice. We can see here that all the free people are with the Palestinian issue and against the colonisation and occupation.”

The event was timed to coincide with a day commemorating the Nakba or “catastrophe” which led to the exodus of several hundred thousand Palestinians following declaration of the State of Israel on 15 May 1948.

Organisers including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al-Aqsa and Muslim Association of Britain said they were protesting against “unprecedented attacks to the collective rights of the Palestinian people by the Israeli State in alliance with Donald Trump”.

Demonstrators said they believed Benjamin Netanyahu’s election promise to annex the West Bank and Mr Trump’s plans for peace in the region – which he has dubbed the “deal of the century” – were key obstacles to the realisation of Palestinian rights.

Israel has repeatedly denied allegations it attacks Palestinians and recognises settlement building as legal under its own laws. Its authorities have said that airstrikes are carried out to counter militant activity.

Tariq Ali told The Independent: “The UK government is not independent. Britain is effectively a stooge state of the United States. That’s why they’re so nervous about Corbyn, it’s because they know what his views are and they know some things will change if he’s elected prime minister.”

Speaking to The Independent before she went on stage, Diane Abbott said she believed in a two-state solution because it would “allow both Israelis and Palestinians to have freedom”, which she said would bring justice, “because without justice, there would be no peace”.

The crowd of protesters included members of ultra Orthodox Jewish community, the Haredi, who said they were there to show solidarity because they did not support the oppression of the Palestinian people.

Others in the crowd included the group, Football Against Apartheid.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sparks controversy after referring to the 'occupation' of Palestine

Founder John Tymon said: “We’re trying to unite football fans against apartheid and expel apartheid Israel from Fifa, just like we expelled apartheid South Africa from Fifa. We call on football associations to vote at the Fifa conference on 5 June to expel Israel. It happened in 1976, so it can happen now too.”

There was also a mix of nationalities amongst the crowd of supporters, including 42 year old Indonesian housewife and mother Yumi. She said: “We are here because we want to support the Palestinians. Indonesia has one of the biggest populations of Muslims in the world, so the Indonesian people support the cause of the Palestinian people.”