London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has been urged to intervene in a dispute between pro-Palestinian groups and police over a planned march for Nakba Day , after officers refused to approve the route while permitting a far-right demonstration in central areas of the capital.
The Palestine Coalition umbrella group of pro-Palestinian organisations called on Khan to step in, saying his role "includes overseeing the Metropolitan Police and determining its strategic direction".
The Metropolitan Police has denied a permit for the coalition’s annual march marking the 78th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba on 16 May, rejecting a route that would pass through central London.
The decision has drawn criticism after police under Commissioner Mark Rowley approved a separate march by far-right groups through key central areas, including Whitehall and the parliamentary district.
"It appears the Metropolitan Police have handed over the political heart of London to a march of hate, while denying the Palestine movement a route it formally requested," the coalition said, referring to the "Unite the West" march led by far-right anti-Islam figure Tommy Robinson.
The coalition, which includes the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Muslim Association of Britain, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the Stop the War Coalition, the Palestinian Forum in Britain, and Friends of Al-Aqsa, said it would press ahead with plans for a large demonstration.
In a statement on Friday, it called on Khan to "request the Metropolitan Police to reverse its decision".
Khan has distanced himself from the row. A spokesperson told The New Arab that decisions on demonstrations are "operational" matters for police.
The Nakba, meaning "catastrophe" in Arabic, refers to the mass displacement of at least 700,000 Palestinians during the 1948 war surrounding the creation of the state of Israel. It is commemorated every year on 15th of May.
The dispute has escalated after Rowley’s office refused to accept a letter of protest describing the decision as "shameful" and "favouring the extreme right at the expense of Palestine".
The letter was signed by dozens of human rights organisations, civil society groups, trade unions and public figures.
Criticism has also emerged in parliament. Labour MP Kim Johnson said the decision was "blatantly biased" and raised "serious questions about which voices are being prioritised". She told MPs that police had "given fascists free rein to hold a march in London".
Johnson called for a Commons debate on the "disturbing rise of far-right activity" on British streets. Responding, Commons leader Alan Campbell did not address the request directly but said the government believes "safety on our streets is paramount", adding: "We trust the police are achieving this."
The dispute comes amid a wider crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism in the UK.
Authorities have moved to ban the direct action group Palestine Action under terrorism legislation, while police have made hundreds of arrests linked to protests associated with the movement.
Rights groups and campaigners have warned that such measures risk curbing freedom of expression and assembly, arguing that pro-Palestinian activism is being disproportionately targeted compared with other political movements.