Britain protests over Israel's Gaza assault

Protests took place in Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton, Bristol, Leeds, Durham, London, Manchester and Oxford on Thursday and today.

And more action is planned in Sheffield, Cardiff, Edinburgh and at the Israeli embassy in London at 2pm tomorrow.

Organisers of tomorrows Sheffield protest said: "The people of Gaza have been living in a prison camp for years.

"On top of the Israeli blockade with its hardships, there are targeted assassinations. The media portray it as a balanced battle between two countries. It is not. Israel is a first world power, systematically plundering the water and land of an economically and militarily weak Palestine."

The group received a message from Gaza stating: "Gaza is under extensive Israeli military attack. In less than two hours, 14 military raids against different targets in different parts of Gaza Strip, six were killed including two young girls age 4 and 7 and 11 were injured.

"The hospitals are already lacking essential emergency medications and citizens were called for blood donation, we do not have power, I am using UBS the first stage of this operation has been accomplished, we expect more escalation.

"Your solidarity means a lot at this difficult times, pass the word, this aggression should stop now."

Stop the War convener Lindsey German said: "The supine government supporters in the media echo the line that Israel 'has to defend itself.' What a grotesque travesty of truth.

"Israel is the recipient of more than $3 billion (£1.89bn) worth of US aid. It has the most sophisticated weapons in the Middle East and is the only nuclear armed state in the region.

"The nature of the government is such that it quite cynically launches military attacks as elections approach. No wonder since it always manages to get away with just a caution - at worst - from the 'international community.'

"Israel is central to the US and its allies in the Middle East.

"Hence a staggering level of double standards and the portrayal of Israel as victim not aggressor."

• The Sheffield protest takes place at noon at the city's town hall.