Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters stage sit-in at Liverpool Street station demanding ceasefire

Political Correspondent Simon Harris on the pro-Palestinian protestors sit-in at Liverpool Street station

More than 500 pro-Palestinian protesters staged a sit-in at Liverpool Street station during Tuesday's evening rush demanding an immediate ceasefire to Israel's attacks on Gaza.

Palestinian music and chants including “ceasefire now” could be heard from the crowds at the protest organised by direct action group Sisters Uncut.

Members from other activist groups including the Palestinian Youth Movement and International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network also spoke at the demonstration.

'I think people should recognise that Jewish Londoners feel incredibly scared'

Major Sadiq Khan told ITV News that while people had a right to protest he asked demonstrators to be mindful Jewish Londoners, some of who are "frightened and scared". "Protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. I'd just ask colleagues in a respectful way to be cognisant of how it's received. Many Jewish Londoners feel that some of the protests are against them, simply for being Jewish."

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the protest would have "been of concern to many people".

“I’ve been in contact with @BTP and will be meeting officers later this week. Everyone should feel safe when using our rail network," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

London has now seen three large pro-Palestine demonstrations and mainline stations appear to be a particular target for some protest groups. Tuesday's protest came after more than 200 people staged another sit-in on the concourse at London Waterloo station on Saturday.

More than 8,500 Palestinians - most of them women and children - are thought to have died in Israel strikes following the Hamas terror attacks on October 7 that killed 1,400.

There are about 240 people held hostage by Hamas after being captured during the incursion.

More than 500 people joined the protest at Liverpool Street at around 5.30pm on Tuesday to demand a ceasefire and an end to arms exports to Israel.

British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan told ITV News police had been able to manage the crowds and that no trains had been delayed. He said BTP had seen "no obvious intimidation" but said he "fully respect that there may well have been passengers, members of the public, moving through who did feel intimidated".

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