Met cannot find organisers of pro-Palestine march planned for October 7 anniversary of Hamas attack

From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026 · last updated 3 October 2026.

Scotland Yard has publicly called on student protesters to abandon a march through central London set for Wednesday — the anniversary of Hamas's terror attack on Israel three years ago — after admitting it has been unable to track down anyone organising the event. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman described the search for someone willing to take responsibility as "frankly difficult," despite extensive efforts. The University of London Coalition plans to march from King's College London on the Strand to University College London in Holborn, starting at midday, with around 300 students expected to attend. Harman warned that the march would cause "impact and distress" to Jewish students and staff on what he called "a day of mourning."

The Met has written to four London universities urging staff to take 'all reasonable steps' to ensure Jewish students feel safe.

The Union of Jewish Students condemned the timing as deliberately provocative, with antisemitic incidents at UK universities still running well above pre-October 2023 levels.

Police say they cannot legally ban the march but have vowed a 'robust approach' — with a deployment of more than 600 officers across London to cover up to half a dozen protests next week.