Crowds gathered in central London holding posters that bore the faces of those who were taken hostage as well as ones that read: “100 days in hell”.
Demonstrators, many carrying Israeli flags, chanted “Bring Them Home Now” and cheered as an organiser declared on stage he has “never been prouder to be Jewish”. A minutes silent was also held.
It came as Israel faces mounting pressure over civilian deaths in Gaza. Israel launched a ground invasion and bombing campaign in Gaza with the stated aim of destroying Hamas after the terror group launched its murderous attacks from the terriroty in October.
Israeli ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely thanked a crowd for “100 days of consistent support”.
“Thank you London, thank you for 100 days of consistent support in Israel with its most justified war,” she said during an address to the crowds.
She said the remaining hostages “continue to live a nightmare with every passing second”.
She issued a fresh “demand” for the immediate release of all hostages.
A six-day ceasefire at the end of November saw 105 hostages released. Israel believes around 105 are still alive in Gaza, while a number of others are either unaccounted for or known to have died.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked the King for his support in a video message played to the rally.
He also thanked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer.
He said: “In the face of those who wish to scare us into silence, you’ve stood up and spoken out with clarity, pride and passion but it isn’t only within the Jewish community, across every branch of British leadership… the truth reigns clear.
“In the name of the state and people of Israel, I thank you all.”
Among the crowds were former home secretary Suella Braverman, who said: “I’m here to stand in solidarity with Israel.
“It has been 100 days since innocent people have been taken hostage by the Hamas terrorists and we need to bring them home now. Bring them home now.”
Also attending, was UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues Lord Eric Pickles who criticised those who took part in a pro-Palestine march on Saturday for being “happy to walk with people who are antisemitic”.
Speaking at yesterday’s demonstration, the Conservative peer said: “I am proud to stand with Israel.”
He added: “The people who were marching yesterday, the overwhelming majority of them are not antisemitic but they are happy to walk with people who are antisemitic.”
On Saturday, thousands attended the march on Westminster calling for an end to Israel’s military operation and a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Hamas-run Health Ministry says that more than 23,000 people have so far been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its campaign.
Israel is also facing a case at the International Court of Justice, brought by South Africa, which accuses it of committing genocide.
