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Gaza protest at Israeli embassy Angry protests at Israeli embassy
(about 2 hours later)
Police have dispersed crowds of demonstrators who gathered near the Israeli embassy in London, following a day of protests across the UK.Police have dispersed crowds of demonstrators who gathered near the Israeli embassy in London, following a day of protests across the UK.
Up to 5,000 protesters were involved in a stand-off with police in Kensington while some burned Israeli flags and threw missiles at officers. The Metropolitan Police said between 10,000 and 12,000 people attended the march, but organisers claimed the figure was as high as 75,000.
Scotland Yard said several people had been arrested. Up to 5,000 protesters were involved in a stand-off with police in Kensington, leading to 15 people being arrested.
Earlier, thousands of people marched through central London and other cities in protest at Israeli attacks on Gaza. Foreign Secretary David Miliband said an urgent ceasefire was needed.
As the protest continued at the embassy, reports emerged that Israeli ground troops had entered Gaza. The demonstration in London was one of many in cities around the world.
The Israeli government has said it is defending its citizens from Palestinian rocket attacks, but the British government has repeatedly called for a ceasefire.Protesters burned Israeli flags and threw missiles at police As the protest continued at the embassy, it emerged that Israeli ground troops had entered Gaza. Protesters burned Israeli flags and threw missiles at police
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Israel's ground incursion would cause "alarm and dismay", but "intensive diplomatic efforts" were continuing to find a solution. The Israeli government has said it is defending its citizens from Palestinian rocket attacks, but the British government has repeatedly called for a ceasefire.
He said in a statement: "The UK believes that the crisis in the Middle East matters to the whole world. Mr Miliband said Israel's ground incursion would cause "alarm and dismay", but "intensive diplomatic efforts" were continuing to find a solution.
"The only sustainable basis for delivering security and justice for Israelis and Palestinians is the vision of two states living in peace side by side, supported by the rest of the region."
Shadow foreign minister David Lidington said the ground invasion was "a serious development that is bound to lead to yet more loss of life".Shadow foreign minister David Lidington said the ground invasion was "a serious development that is bound to lead to yet more loss of life".
Police advancePolice advance
More than 30 organisations, including the British Muslim Initiative and the Stop the War Coalition, have worked together to organise the series of protests on Saturday. In London, crowds marched along the Embankment towards Trafalgar Square. People were crying, they were very, very upset Protester Stephen Hodgkins
In London, crowds marched along the Embankment towards Trafalgar Square, shouting "Free, free Palestine" and "Israel terrorists".
When they reached Whitehall about a thousand shoes were thrown at the gates of Downing Street, echoing the protest of an Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at US President George W Bush.When they reached Whitehall about a thousand shoes were thrown at the gates of Downing Street, echoing the protest of an Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at US President George W Bush.
The Metropolitan Police put the total number of demonstrators in London at between 10,000 and 12,000, but organisers claimed the figure was as high as 75,000. Later, a group of protesters broke off from the main group and headed for the Israeli embassy.
Later, a group of protesters broke off from the main group and headed for the Israeli embassy.Some 600 people, young and old, marched through Edinburgh
Roads were closed and police in riot gear used barriers to contain the crowds on Kensington High Street and away from the embassy itself.Roads were closed and police in riot gear used barriers to contain the crowds on Kensington High Street and away from the embassy itself.
The BBC's Barnie Choudhury, at the scene, said the atmosphere had become more angry and at least one person was injured. Police said a small number of people had made repeated attempts to break through the barriers and threw sticks and other missiles at officers, before pulling apart the barrier line throwing them at the police.
In a statement, police said a small number of people had made repeated attempts to break through the barriers. The organisers of the demonstration said they would make an official complaint to Scotland Yard alleging riot officers charged into protesters as they moved through the Hyde Park underpass towards the embassy.Some 600 people, young and old, marched through Edinburgh
"This small number threw sticks and other missiles at officers, before pulling apart the barrier line throwing them at officers.
"Stewards and others within the crowd made continued attempts to prevent this course of action on the part of the small minority and keep the mood calm."
Organisers of the demonstration said on Saturday evening they would make an official complaint to Scotland Yard alleging that riot officers charged into protesters as they moved through the Hyde Park underpass towards the embassy. People were crying, they were very, very upset Protester Stephen Hodgkins
Chris Nineham, from the Stop The War Coalition, claimed police had charged at least three times, wielding batons and injuring some demonstrators.Chris Nineham, from the Stop The War Coalition, claimed police had charged at least three times, wielding batons and injuring some demonstrators.
"There was absolute pandemonium and people were falling over from the force of the police attacks," he said.
One protester Stephen Hodgkins, 38, also said police had charged several times.One protester Stephen Hodgkins, 38, also said police had charged several times.
"People were crying, they were very, very upset. It was just shocking," he said."People were crying, they were very, very upset. It was just shocking," he said.
"Unfortunately, what it has now done is provoke an otherwise peaceful demonstration." Scotland Yard said police had made "one 10-metre advance into the crowd to regain control of the protest, using recognised and proportionate tactics".
In a statement, Scotland Yard said police had made "one 10-metre advance into the crowd to regain control of the protest, using recognised and proportionate tactics".
Officers had to act, the statement said, "to calm the situation" after "a small number of people attempted to push through police lines, threw missiles at officers and attempted to drag officers into the crowd of demonstrators".
'War crime''War crime'
Earlier, former London mayor Ken Livingstone addressed the crowds in Trafalgar Square: "Let's send a message directly to the Israeli government: if you think you can win votes by the indiscriminate slaughter of Palestinian men, women and children, you are wrong." Earlier former London mayor Ken Livingstone addressed the crowds in Trafalgar Square.
Mr Livingstone told the BBC the protests sent "a powerful message" to the prime minister that the public would not tolerate Israel's "war crime". He told the BBC the protests sent "a powerful message" to the prime minister that the public would not tolerate Israel's "war crime".
"The silence of the British government, and most Western governments, is obscene, and I think Gordon Brown will see this and recognise the real anger amongst Londoners," he said. "The silence of the British government, and most Western governments, is obscene, and I think Gordon Brown will see this and recognise the real anger amongst Londoners," he said.In Manchester, up to 2,000 people joined the demonstration
Also speaking in Trafalgar Square, veteran politician Tony Benn praised those who had turned out. Also speaking in Trafalgar Square, veteran politician Tony Benn praised those who had turned out, and called for a Europe-wide boycott of Israeli goods.
"All movements begin at grassroots level, and this is one of the most powerful demonstrations I've been a part of," he said.
"What I would like to see is the prime minister and [Foreign Secretary] David Miliband do more, and be more vocal."
Mr Benn also called for a Europe-wide boycott of Israeli goods.
Among the protesters was singer Annie Lennox, who said: "I'm here today as a mother, not as a politician. I'm not pro-anybody, I'm here for human rights.In Manchester, up to 2,000 people joined the demonstration
"The turnout today is absolutely incredible, it shows that so many people really care about the issue. Hopefully now we will see dialogue, dialogue, dialogue."
Elsewhere, some 2,000 protesters joined a rally in Manchester. In Portsmouth, nearly 500 people took to the streets and some 300 marched in Bristol.Elsewhere, some 2,000 protesters joined a rally in Manchester. In Portsmouth, nearly 500 people took to the streets and some 300 marched in Bristol.
Police said there were about 500 demonstrators in Glasgow and 600 in Edinburgh, although organisers said there were more like 2,000 protesters in each city.Police said there were about 500 demonstrators in Glasgow and 600 in Edinburgh, although organisers said there were more like 2,000 protesters in each city.
A spokeswoman said: "The event went very well and we hope that it demonstrates the feeling of people in Scotland.
"That was what today was about, it was to say the siege has to end immediately."
Civilian deathsCivilian deaths
Comedian Alexei Sayle, who was also planning to take part in the demonstrations, told the BBC that Israel's response was "massively disproportionate" and although the two countries had a complicated history, the answer was simple. Comedian Alexei Sayle told the BBC Israel's response was "massively disproportionate" and although the two countries had a complicated history, the answer was simple.
He said: "Stop killing people, stop killing children and then start thinking about the little things after that."He said: "Stop killing people, stop killing children and then start thinking about the little things after that."
But actor and comedian Paul Kaye said the situation was just as "terrifying" for Israelis under constant Hamas fire.But actor and comedian Paul Kaye said the situation was just as "terrifying" for Israelis under constant Hamas fire.
Actor Paul Kaye: Fear is the same on both sides of the borderActor Paul Kaye: Fear is the same on both sides of the border
"It's important to remember that mothers fleeing rocket attacks holding their children have the same fear on both sides of the border," he told the BBC.
Israel stepped up its offensive against Gaza on Saturday, using tanks and artillery to bombard the territory.Israel stepped up its offensive against Gaza on Saturday, using tanks and artillery to bombard the territory.
In one raid, at least 10 people were killed when a missile hit a mosque in Beit Lahiya, Palestinian sources said.
The UN says that since the start of the violence a week ago more than 400 people have been killed, about 25% of them civilians - including at least 34 children.The UN says that since the start of the violence a week ago more than 400 people have been killed, about 25% of them civilians - including at least 34 children.
Four Israelis - three civilians and one soldier - have been killed by rockets fired into Israel from Gaza.Four Israelis - three civilians and one soldier - have been killed by rockets fired into Israel from Gaza.
Both sides have so far resisted international calls for a ceasefire.Both sides have so far resisted international calls for a ceasefire.
Have you been taking part in any of the UK demonstrations? Send us your comments using the form below:Have you been taking part in any of the UK demonstrations? Send us your comments using the form below:
Send your pictures or video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures or video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.
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