Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators march in London
By The Associated Press


LONDON - Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London Saturday calling for peace in the Middle East and an end to Israel's military action in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which organized the rally, also demanded Britain impose sanctions against the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and called on the British public to boycott Israeli products.

Chanting slogans and waving banners, protesters marched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square to hear speeches from members of Britain's Palestinian community and from British Muslim leaders.

Lawmakers Jeremy Corbyn and George Galloway, both backbench members of Prime Minister Tony Blair's governing Labor Party, also addressed the crowd.

Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and clutched placards which read "End the Occupation," "Free Palestine" and "End to Genocide in Palestine."

Scotland Yard estimated that 8,000 people took part in the rally.

Iqbal Sacranie of the Muslim Council of Britain said the rally had been organized to "highlight the present atrocities committed in Palestine and the need for a solution to the crisis."

He said campaigners were demanding an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, the dismantling of Jewish settlements and the return of Palestinian refugees to their homes.

"The Palestinian cause is supported by large sections of the British public," said Michel Massih, president of the British Palestinian Community of the United Kingdom. "We would like to see a boycott of Israeli products and sanctions against Israel."

Earlier this month, tens of thousands of pro-Israel demonstrators gathered in Trafalgar Square, calling for peace in the Middle East and an end to Palestinian suicide attacks on Israelis.