Protesters against Israel's airstrikes on Gaza clashed with police as officers tried to disperse a rally from outside the Israeli embassy in London.
Protesters against Israel's airstrikes on Gaza clashed with police as officers tried to disperse a rally from outside the Israeli embassy in London.
As many as 2,000 campaigners had joined the protest, prompting police to close off Kensington High Street to traffic.
As many as 2,000 campaigners had joined the protest, prompting police to close off Kensington High Street to traffic.
But when police forcibly moved them back in order to reopen the road, there were angry scenes, with protesters hurling placards and shouting.
But when police forcibly moved them back in order to reopen the road, there were angry scenes, with protesters hurling placards and shouting.
The UK government has urged an "immediate halt" to violence in Gaza.
The UK government has urged an "immediate halt" to violence in Gaza.
The protesters had gathered to wave placards, banners and flags bearing slogans such as "End the Siege in Gaza" and "Free Palestine".
The protesters had gathered to wave placards, banners and flags bearing slogans such as "End the Siege in Gaza" and "Free Palestine".
The deteriorating humanitarian situation is deeply disturbing Foreign Secretary David Miliband
Among them was 68-year-old Gamal Hamed, from Hammersmith, west London, whose 23-year-old son lives in Gaza.
"Yesterday was the bloodiest day in my homeland's history," he said. "We will do what we can to make the world take notice.
"I am delighted by the number of people who have pledged their support today - we are all worried about where the conflict goes from here." The deteriorating humanitarian situation is deeply disturbing Foreign Secretary David Miliband
Dozens of campaigners were seen being handcuffed and taken away by officers as they tried to free up the street. Several protesters left the scene with bloodied faces, according to a reporter from the Press Association.
Dozens of campaigners were seen being handcuffed and taken away by officers as they tried to free up the street. Several protesters left the scene with bloodied faces, according to a reporter from the Press Association.
The crowd chanted "shame on you" at officers as they were moved back.
The crowd chanted "shame on you" at officers as they were moved back.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers had made six arrests.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers had made six arrests.
'Grave concern'
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza after Israeli airstrikes left hundreds dead.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza after Israeli airstrikes left hundreds dead.
Mr Miliband said a recent rise in rocket attacks against Israel and the "massive loss of life" from the Israeli bombings made it a "dangerous moment".
He said a recent rise in rocket attacks against Israel and the "massive loss of life" from the Israeli bombings made it a "dangerous moment".
'Deeply disturbing'
The foreign secretary said he and Prime Minister Gordon Brown were following developments in Gaza with "grave concern".
Mr Miliband said he and Prime Minister Gordon Brown were following developments in Gaza with "grave concern".
"The deteriorating humanitarian situation is deeply disturbing," he said.
"The UK supports an urgent ceasefire and immediate halt to all violence," he said.
Mr Miliband said Mr Brown had spoken his Israeli counterpart Ehud Olmert and made it clear Israel must stick by its humanitarian obligations. Earlier Mr Brown, said Israel must "do everything in its power to avoid civilian casualties".
"The unanimous UN Security Council press statement overnight, and the EU's statement yesterday, rightly argue for this position. The deteriorating humanitarian situation is deeply disturbing."
The foreign secretary said Mr Brown had spoken his Israeli counterpart Ehud Olmert and made it clear Israel must stick by its humanitarian obligations.
Mr Miliband added that the UK supported the prompt delivery of food, fuel and medicine into the Gaza Strip.
Mr Brown had previously said he was "deeply concerned", calling on Palestinian militants to halt all rocket attacks on Israel and saying Israel must "do everything in its power to avoid civilian casualties".
Conservative leader David Cameron called the violence "horrific" and said both sides must show "restraint".
Conservative leader David Cameron called the violence "horrific" and said both sides must show "restraint".
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey described the strikes as "disproportionate" and "unacceptable".
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey described the strikes as "disproportionate" and "unacceptable".
Police reinforcements had to be called to the Israeli Embassy in west London to control protesters who tore down barriers holding them back and shouted anti-Israeli chants.David Miliband said the UK supported humanitarian aid for Gaza
Police reinforcements had to be called to the Israeli Embassy in west London to control protesters who tore down barriers holding them back and shouted anti-Israeli chants.The foreign secretary has called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza
The demonstration was organised by the Stop the War Coalition and Respect MP George Galloway and former Labour MP Tony Benn were among those who addressed the crowd.
The demonstration was organised by the Stop the War Coalition and Respect MP George Galloway and former Labour MP Tony Benn were among those who addressed the crowd.
Afterwards Mr Galloway said: "The support at today's demonstration has been overwhelming. There are even Jews who have joined us here.
Afterwards Mr Galloway said: "The support at today's demonstration has been overwhelming. There are even Jews who have joined us here.
"We should treat Israel as we treated South Africa during apartheid. They should be shunned."
"We should treat Israel as we treated South Africa during apartheid. They should be shunned."
One of the event's organisers, Ghada Razuki, said she was pleased with the turnout.
"I hope that events like today's show that there is hope for Palestinians - I really hope they see it," she said.
Israeli jets have launched a second day of air attacks on the Gaza Strip amid warnings that operations will continue until Hamas ends rocket fire from Gaza.
Israeli jets have launched a second day of air attacks on the Gaza Strip amid warnings that operations will continue until Hamas ends rocket fire from Gaza.
Palestinians say at least 280 people have died in the air raids.
Palestinians say at least 280 people have died in the air raids.
The UN Security Council has called for an end to all violence, including rocket attacks from Gaza.
The UN Security Council has called for an end to all violence, including rocket attacks from Gaza.
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