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UK protesters call for Gaza peace | UK protesters call for Gaza peace |
(30 minutes later) | |
Thousands of demonstrators have marched 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 protest started peacefully but there were confrontations as police tried to move demonstrators away from the gates of the Israeli embassy. | The protest started peacefully but there were confrontations as police tried to move demonstrators away from the gates of the Israeli embassy. |
The windows of a Starbucks was smashed and three police officers were injured as a minority of people threw missiles. | The windows of a Starbucks was smashed and three police officers were injured as a minority of people threw missiles. |
The Metropolitan Police says 20,000 people marched but the BBC estimates the figure could be as high as 50,000. | |
It is estimated there were several hundred police officers dealing with around 200 protesters outside the embassy. | |
This group are being allowed to leave the cordon one at a time, some are being identified by police and are being taken away for questioning. | |
BBC correspondent Robert Hall said given the number of people involved, the protest had been peaceful. | 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. | "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." | "Although these are ugly and unwelcome scenes, they do not represent what has happened for most of the afternoon." |
'Irresponsible actions' | '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. | 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." | "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. | One man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass. Two more people have also been arrested; one for assault on a police officer. |
'Half hearted' | 'Half hearted' |
The march was organised by groups including Stop the War Coalition, the British Muslim Initiative and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. | |
Protests have also taken place in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Belfast, Newcastle and Southampton. | |
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 leadersBelfast rally calls for peaceShoes thrown in Scottish 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 leadersBelfast rally calls for peaceShoes thrown in Scottish protest |
In Edinburgh around 300 shoes were thrown towards the US consulate by protesters and three police officers suffered minor injuries. | In Edinburgh around 300 shoes were thrown towards the US consulate by protesters and three police officers suffered minor injuries. |
Celebrities including musicians Brian Eno and Annie Lennox joined the march. | |
Rallies were addressed by speakers including Eno, 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: "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. | |
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. |