On November 29, 2025, the heart of Belfast became a stage for a complex intersection of protest, commemoration, and holiday festivity. A trio of parades and rallies—spanning pro-Palestinian, loyalist, and Ulster-Scots traditions—converged in the city centre, drawing hundreds of participants and onlookers, and prompting a significant police presence to keep the peace.
According to BBC News NI, the day’s events included a pro-Palestinian rally, a loyalist march organized by the 1642 Boyne Bridge Defenders Historical Group, and a parade marking Belfast Tartan Day, hosted by the Ulster-Scots Agency. Each event had been formally notified to the Parades Commission, with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) deploying around 20 Tactical Support Group officers to manage the crowds and ensure a buffer zone outside the iconic Belfast City Hall.
Despite the careful planning, tensions simmered as the groups assembled. Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli chants rang out simultaneously, their messages starkly displayed on banners: “End war, end genocide” from Palestinian supporters, and “We love Israel” from the pro-Israeli group. The rallies unfolded against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began after a Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023—a strike that killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 abductions. In response, Israel launched ground and air strikes that, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, have led to more than 70,000 deaths. The BBC noted that, in September 2025, the world’s leading association of genocide scholars declared Israel’s actions amounted to genocide—a claim Israel denies, with some Western governments reserving judgment pending a formal court ruling.
Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland Director for Amnesty International, addressed the pro-Palestinian crowd outside City Hall. “What matters is that the citizens of Belfast are here in their thousands to stand in solidarity with a people facing an ongoing genocide,” he said, according to BBC News NI. The passionate turnout was mirrored by loyalist demonstrators, some of whom sang provocative chants as they approached the square, while others waved Union and Israeli flags in defiance of the pro-Palestinian presence.
The day was not without disruption. The PSNI reported two arrests: one individual was taken into custody for public order offences, while another was detained following an alleged assault. The Belfast Telegraph added that one arrest involved a man wearing a tri-colour balaclava, who was apprehended around 2pm and brought to Musgrave Street Police Station. Police maintained an “evidence-gathering operation” throughout the afternoon, with a spokesperson emphasizing, “The right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are fundamental human rights which are protected in law and allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest. However, these rights are limited by the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime.”
Despite the palpable tension, the majority of the day’s events passed without major incident. Still, minor scuffles broke out as some men refused to remove face coverings when requested by police, and traffic was briefly halted as two loyalist flute bands made their way from Sandy Row to City Hall. The loyalist parade, organized by the 1642 Boyne Bridge Defenders Historical Group, coincided with the reopening of Durham Street—a road closed for months due to the demolition of the historic Boyne Bridge as part of the Grand Central Station project. Bandsmen played "The Sash" and applauded Soldier F, a former British soldier recently acquitted of charges stemming from Bloody Sunday, in a show of support for military veterans.
Meanwhile, the Ulster-Scots Agency’s parade brought a different tone to the proceedings. Four pipe bands—Campbell College Pipe Band, Mass Pipe Band, Major Sinclair Pipe Band, and the Northern Ireland Drum Major Group—performed traditional music as they circled City Hall, drawing crowds of Christmas shoppers and curious onlookers. The event marked Belfast Tartan Day, celebrating the city’s Scottish heritage and adding a festive note to an otherwise charged atmosphere.
Amid the demonstrations, Belfast’s Christmas Market continued inside the City Hall grounds, though access was temporarily restricted and visitors were redirected to side entrances. Organizers, well aware of the potential for disruption, had contingency plans in place. Some traders, however, chose to shutter their stalls, citing concerns over safety and the impact on foot traffic. As Belfast Live reported, the market’s front gates were closed for a time, with police guiding attendees through alternative routes.
Adding another layer to the day’s drama was the controversy over the Palestinian flag. Earlier in November, Belfast City Council had voted to fly the flag from City Hall to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Solidarity with the People of Palestine. But unionist councillors challenged the move, prompting the council to seek legal advice and ultimately postpone the gesture. DUP council leader Sarah Bunting argued, “Flying the Palestinian flag would draw us into a deeply contested international conflict and risk creating further division here at home.” A special council meeting was scheduled for December 1 to reconsider the decision.
Not all participants came from the main groups. The Belfast Telegraph noted the presence of Stephen Baker, a far-right agitator with a history of criminal damage charges, who was seen singing, “We’re not Gaza, we’re Northern Ireland” as crowds gathered. The day also saw anti-immigration protests, further complicating the already volatile mix of causes and allegiances on display.
Throughout the afternoon, the PSNI maintained a visible, measured presence, promising an “appropriate and proportionate” response and focusing on de-escalation. Officers redirected confused visitors, managed traffic diversions, and ensured that the various groups remained separated by physical barriers. As the crowds eventually dispersed and the city centre returned to its usual rhythm, the day stood as a testament to Belfast’s enduring capacity for both passionate protest and peaceful coexistence—even as the underlying issues remain deeply unresolved.
The events of November 29, 2025, underscored the city’s ongoing struggle to balance freedom of expression with public order, and the challenge of navigating global conflicts within a local context. For many Belfast residents, the afternoon’s rallies served as a stark reminder that the city’s streets remain a crossroads for history, identity, and the urgent debates of the day.
