Shocking video footage has emerged showing the message “from the river to the sea” projected onto Big Ben last night, as thousands gathered around Parliament Square demanding MPs back a ceasefire in Gaza.
The clip obtained by Express.co.uk also shows the words “ceasefire now” and “stop bombing Gaza” emblazoned on the London landmark.
The messaging drew condemnation from Jewish figures and political commentators. GB News presenter Martin Daubney took to X claiming that he could see the projector projecting the words onto Big Ben and claimed the police did nothing to prevent it. He said: “So a projector clearly visible opposite Big Ben. Just spoke to coppers, they say this isn’t legal… but they are just standing and watching!”
Former Head of Speechwriting at the Israeli mission to the UN said: “This is appalling. Projected on London’s Big Ben was the genocidal slogan ‘From the River to the Sea’ To be clear, this is the same as writing ‘Death to the Jews’.”
Protesters gathered around Parliament Square as MPs voted on motions calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. However, the night in the House of Commons descended into chaos as Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle broke with convention and sparked a walkout from Tory and SNP MPs, drawing comparisons between him and his predecessor John Bercow.
The row emerged over parliamentary procedure during what was supposed to be the SNP’s ‘opposition day’, where the party could control the day’s debate on the conflict in the Middle East.
Both the Government and Opposition submitted amendments to the SNP’s motion for an “immediate ceasefire” to be called for in Gaza. The precedent dictates that the Government’s amendment is voted on instead of Labour’s, but the Speaker and former Labour MP said both would be voted on.
The Commons went into meltdown moments before the mass departure after Deputy Speaker Rosie Winterton took points of order from MPs for more than 40 minutes.
Sir Lindsay later returned to the Commons and said he regretted what happened tonight and took responsibility.
A spokesperson for the Met said: “This is a chant that has been frequently heard at pro-Palestinian demonstrations for many years and we are very aware of the strength of feeling in relation to it.
“While there are scenarios where chanting or using these words could be unlawful depending on the specific location or context, its use in a wider public protest setting, such as last night, is not a criminal offence.”
