Violence fears over rival London protests

THERE were fears of violent street clashes in London today after it emerged that a mass pro-Israeli rally has been planned for minutes after a demonstration against the country's attack on Gaza, the Evening Standard can reveal.

Police sources said riot officers are on standby amid concerns the two demonstrations may overlap, leading to angry confrontations.

Demonstrations against Israel's military action are being held all week outside the country's embassy in Kensington as the civilian death toll of the ground assault grows. Yesterday evening about 100 people gathered outside the building and shouted slogans against Israel's campaign.

On Monday last week there were 12 arrests after 2,000 people surrounded the embassy in Palace Green to voice their anger.

Evening Standard has learned that a rally in support of Israel's actions has been planned at the same spot this evening - half an hour after the pro-Palestinian demonstration is due to end. The pro-Israel rally has been organised by a group on Facebook called London Solidarity Stand for Israel. Within hours of it being set up 1,600 people had said they would come to the event with another 1,811 saying they might attend.

Organiser Matt Freelander said the group had told police about their plans but they would probably go ahead with or without official approval. The 28-year-old property dealer from Hendon said: "It will be very hard to stop the demonstration now. We are British citizens who have friends in the Israeli army and we have a right to have our say. Hamas are terrorists who hide behind civilians."

Local MP Sir Malcolm Rifkind said the plans were "risky" and called on both sets of demonstrators to work with police to ensure there was no disorder.

He added: "The right of peaceful protest is precious and needs to be protected. There are people who feel strongly on both sides of this issue and they must not be stopped from doing that.

Pro-Palestinian protest organiser Mohamad Sawalha, of the British Muslim Initiative, said: "It would be better for them not to organise it this way. It will be strange watching people support killing in Gaza. But this is a free country."

Scotland Yard was not able to confirm whether it had given the pro-Israel rally the go ahead.