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Thousands to march for Gaza peace Gaza protests begin across the UK
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of protesters are expected to march in cities across the UK to call for an end to the conflict in Gaza. Thousands of protesters are gathering in cities across the UK to call for an end to the Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Police in London said they expected similar numbers to last week, when tens of thousands marched to urge an end to Israeli military strikes on Gaza. Organisers of a rally in Birmingham said more than 5,000 people had turned up in the city centre.
The Stop the War coalition said it hoped the event would be peaceful. Violence erupted among some protesters last week, resulting in 24 arrests. Many waved banners, while others burned the Israeli flag and carried stretchers with representations of bodies.
Protests are also due in Birmingham, Cardiff, Dundee and Nottingham. In London, former Labour minister Tony Benn was due to address the crowds forming in Trafalgar Square.
There will also be demonstrations in Liverpool, Norwich and Cambridge. He said: "It is a moral responsibility for all of us. People are being killed not so far away from here, women and children.
"If you want to see the politics of the future, come to Trafalgar Square, if you want to see the politics of the past, go to Westminster."
Organisers of the demonstration said they were expecting thousands of people to join the rally.
Afterwards a delegation of 200 women and children will go to Downing Street to hand a letter asking Gordon Brown to put pressure on Israel to call a ceasefire.
Chris Khamis, chairman of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, said: "Children are getting killed, women are getting killed. They are unable to defend themselves. It's just horrendous.
It is high time that all people in the region recognised the right of the state of Israel to exist and the need for the creation of a viable Palestinian state Dr John SentamuArchbishop of York Protesters raid arms factory "People from all religions and no religions, and including Jews, have come here to express their outrage and demand that this medieval siege is brought to an end."
The Stop the War coalition said it hoped the event would be peaceful.
Last Saturday up to 20,000 people marched through the capital in a similar demonstration which ended in violence. Missiles were hurled and windows were smashed near the Israeli Embassy on Kensington High Street. Police made 24 arrests.
Protests have also begun in Cardiff, Dundee, Nottingham, Liverpool, Norwich and Cambridge.
The events have been organised by Stop the War Coalition, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, British Muslim Association and other groups.The events have been organised by Stop the War Coalition, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, British Muslim Association and other groups.
Protesters will rally in Trafalgar Square at 1400 GMT and a delegation will then deliver a letter to 10 Downing Street. The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza has told the BBC that 1,193 people have been killed, including 410 children and 108 women, since the conflict began on 27 December.
'Lasting peace' There were 5,300 people wounded, including 1,600 children, the ministry said.
Andrew Burgin, spokesman for Stop the War said: "We are protesting today to have a full war crimes investigation into what has been done in Gaza." Thirteen Israelis, mostly soldiers, have been killed during the campaign.
Health officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza say at least 1,105 Palestinians have been killed and 5,100 wounded since Israel launched an offensive on 27 December to end rocket attacks against its people. Civil servant Faruq Ali, 39, was protesting in Birmingham. He said: "What's happened is an injustice. When you see an injustice happening, whether you are Muslim or non-Muslim, people want to have their voices heard."
Last Saturday organisers said 100,000 turned out to demonstrate, with police claiming there were 20,000 marchers. It is high time that all people in the region recognised the right of the state of Israel to exist and the need for the creation of a viable Palestinian state. Dr John SentamuArchbishop of York Protesters raid arms factory
After that protest some demonstrators hurled missiles and smashed windows near the Israeli Embassy on Kensington High Street.
There were confrontations as police tried to move demonstrators away from the gates of the Israeli embassy.
One police officer was knocked unconscious and two others received facial injuries.
But BBC correspondent Robert Hall said given the number of people involved, the protest had been largely peaceful.
On Friday, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, held a special service of prayer and lament for the situation in Gaza.On Friday, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, held a special service of prayer and lament for the situation in Gaza.
He said: "It is high time that all people in the region recognised the right of the state of Israel to exist and the need for the creation of a viable Palestinian state.He said: "It is high time that all people in the region recognised the right of the state of Israel to exist and the need for the creation of a viable Palestinian state.
"Therefore, the international community must redouble its efforts to bring about this reality and a lasting peace. We have all been guilty to ignore the danger signs over the last eight years.""Therefore, the international community must redouble its efforts to bring about this reality and a lasting peace. We have all been guilty to ignore the danger signs over the last eight years."
Pro-Israel rallies were held in London and Manchester on Sunday. Organisers said they wanted people in Gaza and Israel to live in peace, but argued that Hamas must accept responsibility for the conflict.