Schoolchildren go on STRIKE in pro-Palestine protests across the UK

Schoolchildren in strike during pro-Palestine protests

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Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 17/11/2023

- 18:01

Schoolchildren in East London were among the pupils participating in pro-Palestine protests

Pro-Palestine protests have gripped pupils across a number of major British cities as schoolchildren went on strike while calling for a ceasefire.

Police forces across the UK are bracing for another wave of protests across the country tomorrow.


Demonstrators have been taking to the streets ever since Hamas mounted its atrocious onslaught against Israel on October 7.

However, teenagers appear to have been swept up by pro-Palestinian sentiments.

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Pupils in Bristol handed in a ceasefire petition, with similar events also taking place in London and Glasgow.

The Department of Education stressed children should remain in school rather than “missing out” on lesson time.

Schoolchildren in East London were among the pupils participating in pro-Palestine protests

A group assembled with parents out Redbridge Town Hall on Friday.

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Demonstrators chanted for a “free Palestine” and held placards calling for an end to the conflict.

Other protests were held in Newham and outside Luton Sixth Form College amid rising calls for an end to the war.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “I’m deeply concerned that some children are attending political protests during the school day – even more so if they’re taking part in, or being exposed to, antisemitic chants.

“This should be treated with the utmost seriousness – missing school for activism is unacceptable.”

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark RowleySir Mark Rowley has said the police will 'ensure that Remembrance and Armistice are not compromised'PA

The protests come with the death toll in Gaza continuing to rise, the Strip’s Hamas-run Health Ministry has claimed.

At least 11,470 Palestinians have been killed since the war began.

Hamas also killed more than 1,200 Israelis and captured 240 others during its attack on October 7.

There is little evidence that demonstrations will end but they have become increasingly controversial with leading politicians urging Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley to do more to quell protesters.

Rowley confirmed recent footage showing demonstrators climbing on the Royal Artillery Memorial in Hyde Park Corner was "unfortunate" and "inflammatory in certain ways" but not illegal.

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