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UK protesters call for Gaza peace UK protesters call for Gaza peace
(about 3 hours later)
Demonstrators are marching through London to call for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza. Thousands of demonstrators have marched through London to call for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza.
The march has been organised by groups including Stop the War Coalition, the British Muslim Initiative and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. The protest started peacefully but there were confrontations as police tried to move demonstrators away from the gates of the Israeli embassy.
Organisers were hoping to attract 100,000 protesters but the Metropolitan Police says 12,000 are taking part. The windows of a Starbucks was smashed and three police officers were injured as a minority of people threw missiles.
The Metropolitan Police says 12,000 people marched but the BBC estimates the figure could be as high as 50,000.
BBC correspondent Robert Hall said given the number of people involved, the protest had been peaceful.
"But as darkness fell a small number of people, several hundred, have begun confronting police and missiles have been thrown," he said.
"Although these are ugly and unwelcome scenes, they do not represent what has happened for most of the afternoon."
'Irresponsible actions'
Metropolitan Police Commander Bob Broadhurst said: "We are very disappointed by the irresponsible actions of those who have challenged police by ripping apart security barriers and throwing objects at them.
"A hard core of demonstrators are undermining the cause of the vast majority of people on this demonstration, who are law-abiding citizens wishing to protest peacefully."
One man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass. Two more people have also been arrested; one for assault on a police officer.
There is currently a stand-off as police isolate the group of troublemakers from the rest of the marchers.
A peace rally organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews is due to take place in the capital on Sunday.A peace rally organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews is due to take place in the capital on Sunday.
Saturday's march started at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park and is now at the Israeli embassy in Kensington. Bottle neck
BBC correspondent Robert Hall said there was "very careful" stewarding and people were being channelled to the end point at the Royal Albert Hall. The march has been organised by groups including Stop the War Coalition, the British Muslim Initiative and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
"A few objects have been thrown at the gates to the embassy, pieces of wood and shoes, but this is a small number of people. Protests are have also taken place in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Belfast, Newcastle and Southampton.
"But the majority of people are making a peaceful protest." There would have been outrage from governments around the world if this had happened anywhere else - the condemnation has been at best half-hearted Lindsey GermanStop the War class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7821582.stm">Hoax e-mail angers Jewish leaders class="" href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/7822138.stm">Belfast rally calls for peace class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/7822195.stm">Shoes thrown in Scottish protest
Protests are also taking place in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Belfast, Newcastle and Southampton. In Edinburgh around 300 shoes were thrown towards the US consulate by protesters.
'Peaceful protest' Several protesters in London were expected to dress up in white shrouds and lie down outside the embassy in a symbolic protest.
Several protesters are expected to dress up in white shrouds and lie down outside the embassy in a symbolic protest. Celebrities including musician Brian Eno and film star Juliet Stevenson were expected to join the march.
Celebrities including musician Brian Eno and film star Juliet Stevenson are expected to join the march. Rallies are being addressed by speakers including Eno, Stevenson, former London mayor Ken Livingstone and Cherie Blair's half-sister Lauren Booth.
Rallies are due to take place at the start and end of the march, addressed by speakers including Eno, Stevenson, former London mayor Ken Livingstone and Cherie Blair's half-sister Lauren Booth. Lindsey German, Stop the War's convenor, said: "We are calling for an end to the massacre and for Israel to get out of Gaza and Palestine.
Lindsey German, Stop the War's convenor, said it would be a passionate, but peaceful protest.
There would have been outrage from governments around the world if this had happened anywhere else - the condemnation has been at best half-hearted Lindsey GermanStop the War Hoax e-mail angers Jewish leaders
She said she hoped there would be no repeat of the clashes with police that affected the demonstration in London last Saturday.
She said: "We are calling for an end to the massacre and for Israel to get out of Gaza and Palestine.
"We want the British government to take a much stronger position. There would have been outrage from governments around the world if this had happened anywhere else - the condemnation has been at best half-hearted.""We want the British government to take a much stronger position. There would have been outrage from governments around the world if this had happened anywhere else - the condemnation has been at best half-hearted."
Former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said in a statement: "The British government and European Union have the economic leverage to stop this carnage.Former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said in a statement: "The British government and European Union have the economic leverage to stop this carnage.
"They must take decisive action to force Israel to end the slaughter.""They must take decisive action to force Israel to end the slaughter."
On Sunday the Board of Deputies of British Jews will also hold a rally calling for peace in Israel and Gaza in Trafalgar Square in central London.On Sunday the Board of Deputies of British Jews will also hold a rally calling for peace in Israel and Gaza in Trafalgar Square in central London.
The conflict in Gaza is entering its third week, despite international calls for a ceasefire.The conflict in Gaza is entering its third week, despite international calls for a ceasefire.
Israel said it launched 40 overnight air strikes, while Hamas militants fired several rockets at Israeli towns.Israel said it launched 40 overnight air strikes, while Hamas militants fired several rockets at Israeli towns.
Senior Palestinian officials are in Egypt for talks on how to end the conflict.Senior Palestinian officials are in Egypt for talks on how to end the conflict.
Health officials in Gaza say more than 800 Palestinians have died. Israel says 13 Israelis have been killed.Health officials in Gaza say more than 800 Palestinians have died. Israel says 13 Israelis have been killed.