Hundreds take the streets of London to protest against Israel

Pro-Palestinian protesters supporting Gaza from London Hundreds of Londoners have taken the streets in front of the Israeli embassy on Thursday night, in protest against the Israeli offensive on Gaza, which claimed the lives of at least 16 Palestinians.

As demonstrators gathered in front of the Israeli embassy in Kensington to chant “Free free Palestine”, a group of supporters of Israel gathered on the other side, carefully separated by the police to avoid any escalation.
Marvin, spokesman for the Zionist association, believes that Israel is only defending its citizens:
“Hamas said that wanted to destroy Israel. Israel has no choice but to take them at their word. Jabaril who was targeted yesterday was responsible for many terrorist attacks in Israel and many Israelis have lost their lives. This is a war, there’s no other way to describe it. Israel is only protecting its citizens in the south of Israel as any responsible government would do.”
On the other side, Khadija Hasan from the Gaza project charity proudly holds a banner against Israel: “To respond with tanks and F16 against homemade rockets is disproportionate - I live in Gaza, I know what these rockets look like, kids can carry them . Hamas had asked for a truce when they killed Al-Jabari. Israel knew exactly what they were going to do, this has been planned for a long time.
“The growth of anger against Israel now is coming from the understanding that people will not listen to mainstream media. Israel is not trying to defend itself; Israel is trying to steal more land. That’s all it is.
“They’ve already killed children and a pregnant woman. This is not war, this is massacre.”
The protest, organised by the Stop The War Coalition, attracted more than 1000 people in High Street Kensington.  
In an interview with Arabstoday, political activist and author John Rees said that Israel is a danger to the whole of the Middle East: “Al-Jaabari was at the time involved with serious peace negotiation with the Israeli state to reach a long term truce. It tells you a great deal about the Israeli leaders who chose this person to assassinate at this time.”

In related news, British Foreign Secretary William Hague strongly sided with Israel on Thursday. He said: "Hamas bears principal responsibility for the current crisis. I utterly condemn rocket attacks from Gaza into southern Israel by Hamas and other armed groups.

"Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza should cease attacks against Israel immediately.

"These events underline once again the fragility of the situation and the urgent need for progress toward a two state solution which allows Israelis and Palestinians to live alongside each other in peace and security. Britain will do all it can to support such progress and an urgent resumptions of negotiations."