The battle of Kensington

A LONDON demonstration against Israel's assault on Gaza became violent when rival groups of protesters came face to face.

Demonstrators fought police in angry scenes after two rival rallies formed outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington last night.

Six pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested as officers struggled to keep the two groups apart.

About 300 Palestinian protesters gathered only yards from more than 500 pro-Israel demonstrators.

Missiles including a traffic cone were hurled at officers as they forced a hardcore of pro-Palestinian protesters to leave down Kensington High Street towards Earl's Court Road.

About 50 demonstrators, many with masks covering their faces, tried to stage a sit-down protest only to be forced back by officers with batons drawn. Some aimed punches and kicks at the police.

One of the arrests came when police stopped a convoy of up to 80 cars on the Victoria Embankment ferrying pro-Palestinian demonstrators to the protest. Police spotted the convoy in Stratford and prevented it reaching the protest under the Public Order Act, saying it would have "caused serious disruption to the residential community".

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "At around 9pm officers started to clear the remaining pro-Palestinian demonstrators. This was due to the demonstration overrunning by more than two hours. A section of those remaining were intent on antagonising pro-Israeli demonstrators and police."

The protest had started peacefully with demonstrators, some waving Hamas and Hezbollah flags, chanting "free, free Palestine". Tensions rose when people began to gather for the pro-Israel rally. The two groups were separated by three police vans, barriers and a line of police. The rally had been due to finish at 7pm, half an hour before the pro-Israel rally started, but Respect MP George Galloway spoke on a loud hailer urging a group of 150 to stay.

Rival protesters hurled abuse at each other as police tried to keep them apart. A group of pro-Palestine protesters tried to force their way through to the pro-Israel rally. The trouble came when police forced anti-Israeli demonstrators to disperse. Organiser of the pro-Israel rally, Matt Freelander, 28, said: "It is good for everyone to see a peaceful demonstration from people on our side. We want a two-state solution and peace for both Israel and the Palestinians."

Pro-Palestinian protesters accused police of "heavy-handed" tactics. Protest organiser Mohamad Sawalha, of the British Muslim Initiative, added: "It was a mistake to allow the other rally at the same time. It was provocative."