30,000 at rally for Israel

Thousands of protesters filled London's Trafalgar Square earlier to pledge their support for Israel.

The Israeli solidarity rally was the largest of its kind ever staged by the Jewish community in Britain and saw more than 30,000 people call for an end to terror.

But the event - which went under the banner of "Yes To Peace No To Terror" - prompted protesters to stage a counter-demonstration, citing recent Israeli atrocities which Israel refuses to let the UN investigate.

Police said up to 400 Muslim demonstrators were present but there had been no problems.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Cabinet Minister Peter Mandelson, Conservative Deputy Leader and Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Ancram, and Chief Rabbi Prof Jonathan Sacks were present.

Despite the fact the demonstration was labelled a rally for peace, Mr Netanyahu shouted to loud cheers: "Israel is determined to fight. The question isn't whether Israel will fight but whether we will fight alone."

He used the event to label elected Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat a terrorist and said Israel should not negotiate with him.

Earlier former Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Mandelson said peace in Northern Ireland had been achieved because there had been a vision and that was what was needed in the Middle East.

Mr Ancram in turn said: "Peace and security will not be won by accusation and humiliation but by courage and respect. I hate intolerance, intolerance will not bring peace. The road of dialogue is the only lasting road to peace."

The event was opened by Lord Janner of Braunstone QC, who had told the crowd that he had been to the Jenin camp and said: "There was no massacre."