Hundreds of schoolchildren and adults marched through East London today chanting "Israel is a terror state".

At 1.30pm, students could be seen on Cambridge Heath Road using megaphones and waving Palestinian flags.

They could be heard shouting, “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”; “What do we want? Ceasefire!” and “Israel is a terror state.”

Students from several schools in Bethnal Green were present, including girls from the nearby Mullberry Academy, who were leading the march. They were carrying a banner which said, “Tower Hamlet’s Palestine solidarity network.”

Parents were visible among the students, with primary age children present too. Several adults in high-vis jackets could be seen at the front of the march. 

Mulberry Academy told the JC that students at the rally would be marked with an “unauthorised absence” today. However, some parents had given their consent for students to join the rally. 

Students missing school to attend the march had not yet returned for their afternoon lessons at one school the JC contacted.