No recognition without release: Thousands prepare to march for Gaza hostages

Thousands are expected to demonstrate in central London this Sunday to demand the UK government halts plans to recognise a Palestinian state unless all hostages held by Hamas are released.

The cross-communal demonstration, backed by every major stream of British Judaism, will begin at 3pm and call for what organisers describe as an “unequivocal” stance: no recognition until the hostages are home.

The rally has secured the backing of the Office of the Chief Rabbi, the United Synagogue, Progressive Judaism, Masorti, and the S&P Sephardi Community, alongside more than 20 advocacy groups including the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council, Stand With Us UK, and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK.

It follows mounting anguish over footage released in recent days. One video, published by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, showed hostage Rom Braslavski crying and visibly frail. Another, from Hamas, showed Evyatar David emaciated and speaking of digging his own grave.

“Their only chance of survival is immediate release,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum warned in a statement. “This is not captivity but a slow execution. After 660 days, we march in London to demand the world stop looking away. This is the final hour.”

Of the approximately 250 people abducted on 7 October, around 50 remain in Gaza. Fewer than half are believed to be alive.

Last month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that Britain would recognise a Palestinian state by September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and expands aid access. While he previously indicated that hostage release should be a precondition for any truce, critics argue the revised stance weakens international leverage over Hamas.

Organisers said: “The government must be unequivocal. No recognition unless all the hostages are home. To do otherwise risks legitimising extremism and undermining any hope for a just and lasting peace.”

Groups listed on a campaign poster include Campaign Against Antisemitism, Christian Action Against Antisemitism, Hineni, National Jewish Assembly, End Jew Hatred, Herut UK, Our Fight, We Believe in Israel, BICOM and the Union of Jewish Students.

The event is being held under the banner #UntilTheLastHostage.