Demonstrator burns policeman's cap as thousands try to storm Israeli embassy in London



An anti-Israel protester snatched a policeman's cap and set it alight during a demonstration in West London last night.

The man paraded the burning hat as thousands of demonstrators tried to reach Israel's embassy in Kensington.

Others protested in Cardiff, Birmingham, Halifax and Sheffield.

In London, some climbed the embassy gates and were restrained by police.

Crowds chanted, 'Palestine must be free from the river to the sea.'

The demonstrator holds a burning police hat aloft outside the Israeli Embassy

The crowds cheers as the burning cap is paraded

Police cordons blocked off the road to traffic and the crowd surged against officers leading to minor clashes.

A 37-year-old rabbi from Stoke Newington, North London, said: 'What's happening now is not good for Palestinian people, Jewish people or anyone.

'We are here to call for a complete end to the violence.'

Ben Alban, 40, a civil engineer from West London, said: 'Killing innocent civilians should not happen. I am a Muslim. This seems like an attack on the Muslim religion.'

Downing Street said it is 'appalled' at the deteriorating situation.

As the death toll rose above 325 and Israel promised a 'war to the bitter end', Number 10 stepped up demands for a halt to the violence from both sides.

Get back: Pro-Palestinian demonstrators clash with police as they try to reach the Israeli embassy in London

Protesters gathered outside the Israeli embassy in west London for a second day to demonstrate against Israel's air raids on Gaza

And United Nations secretary general Ban Ki Moon condemned Israel 's actions as 'excessive' and demanded an immediate ceasefire.

But the US stopped short of calling for an end to the strikes against Hamas-controlled Gaza .

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has held talks with his Israeli counterpart, Ehud Olmert, in which he urged access for humanitarian teams.

The devastation caused by the strikes have overwhelmed hospitals and exacerbated shortages of fuel, food and medicines in Gaza .

The protests continue between Pro-Palestinian protesters and police officers near the Israeli Embassy in London

A Downing Street spokesman said: 'We are appalled by the continuing violence in Gaza and reiterate our call to Israel and Hamas for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of innocent life.

'In his discussions today with Prime Minister Olmert and (Palestinian Authority) President (Mahmoud) Abbas, the Prime Minister has also pressed for full, unimpeded and urgent access for medical teams: a humanitarian breathing space.

'We are in close contact with the UN to assess how best this support can reach those who need it.

'There is no military solution to this situation. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary remain in constant touch with international and regional partners to establish the parameters for a sustainable peace.

'We must redouble the international effort to ensure that both Israel and Palestine have the land, rights and security to live in peace.'

Crowds were growing again outside the embassy in Kensington this afternoon and police helicopters were monitoring overhead.

