Students have been condemned over a 'provocative' plan to stage pro-Palestine protests on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel.

They plan to stage a march between four London universities exactly three years after Hamas killed more than 1,200 civilians and took 251 hostages.

The protest is being advertised on social media by student activists, who say they intend to 'take to the street' to 'demand an end to the Palestinian genocide'.

However, Raphi Leon, president of the Union of Jewish Students, said holding a protest on a day of mourning for Israeli families was 'outrageous'.

He said: 'There are 365 days of the year. The decision to protest on this day is provocative, deliberate and must be condemned to the fullest extent.'

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Lucy Powell said on LBC Radio: 'We certainly shouldn't be doing anything other than marking those attacks on October 7 with deep mourning for those who lost their lives and those who were victims of that terrible Hamas attack.

'I stand shoulder to shoulder with my Jewish community here in Manchester as well as those who are really appalled by what's unfolded in Gaza too, and I think we can occupy all those positions without causing further division amongst our communities.'

She said that police were ready to 'take action' if the protests caused 'wider harm'.

The protest is being advertised by the University of London Coalition, which describes itself as 'resisting ties between university management, weapons firms and the British state profiting from genocide in Palestine and beyond.'

Activists plan to march from King's College London to the London School of Economics, Soas University of London and University College London.

Last year, Sir Keir Starmer condemned a similar protest organised on the same date as 'unBritish' and disrespectful.

Israel has been accused of 'genocide' over the thousands killed in its retaliatory bombing campaign in Gaza.

During the last three years of the conflict, antisemitic attacks have increased both in universities and in wider society across the UK.

On Sunday, two men were arrested over a suspected terrorist plot to target the Jewish community in Manchester.

The men, both in their 30s, were detained on the eve of Yom Kippur – considered to be the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

A Met Police spokesman said of the protest: 'We are aware of this event and are in contact with the organisers to understand the proposed route and potential impact.

'We are committed to upholding people's lawful right to protest. But we are aware of the concern that this event will cause many Londoners, particularly the capital's Jewish communities.

'The police do not give permission for protests to go ahead, nor do we have any power in law to refuse permission. Officers can only impose conditions on organisers, under the Public Order Act, to prevent serious disruption or serious disorder.'

The student activists have been contacted for comment.