housands to rally in support of Palestinian cause

London: Thousands of protesters will take to the streets this weekend in demonstrations over Israel's assault on Gaza.

A national demonstration against the attack will march from Speakers' Corner at Hyde Park today.

It will be followed by a pro-Israel rally in Trafalgar Square and a march, which is expected to take place tomorrow.

The protests follow a series of demonstrations outside the Israeli Embassy in Kensington which have led to small businesses in the area losing thousands of pounds.

The pro-Palestinian demonstration is expected to be joined by stars including singers Annie Lennox and Peter Gabriel, actors Corin and Vanessa Redgrave, and Children's Laureate Michael Rosen.

Their march will end near the Israeli Embassy in Palace Green.

Rival rally

The Board of Deputies of British Jews has planned a rally to call for peace from 11am to 12pm tomorrow in Trafalgar Square.

Half an hour later protesters will then congregate at Marble Arch before proceeding to walk to Belgrave Square.

Last night, hundreds gathered at the Friends Meeting House in central London.

Speakers condemned the Israeli and British governments, with former Labour Cabinet minister Tony Benn calling on the British government to expel the Israeli ambassador to the UK.

The protests, which have seen up to 2,000 pro-Palestinian supporters bring Kensington High Street to a standstill, have also affected independent traders who have reported that their takings had gone down by more than 50 per cent.

Many have struggled to pay staff and cover overheads.

Residents want the protests moved to Kensington Gardens or Hyde Park. Maryam Taghavi, owner of Foubert's Cafe, said: "We couldn't open on Saturday or Sunday."

Craig Teasdale, the manager of Brasserie Gerard, said his restaurant had had virtually no bookings since the protests began on 28 December.

Police said there were no plans to relocate the demonstrations.

Shopkeepers and cafe owners in Fortress Kensington said the barricades and disruption caused by the demonstrations were hitting business.