I will tell you why there are no visible protests when Hamas fires rockets intro Gaza (homemade rockets, mind you, as opposed to the US-bought Israeli state of the art military): Gaza is under siege!!! When you have no water, fuel, electricity, food, medicine or freedom of movement, what can you do?

sarah, New York , USA

happy Xmas . I thought one of the so called ten commandments included love thy neighbour. Obviously this means nothing.. More down to religion, will it ever stop, it seems to breed hate. Lets stop hating make this a better world to live in.
Who cares what religion one is.I dont.

elaine, Eastbourne, uk

Where were the protesters when the rockets were being fired into Israel?

Amad Shaff, Beverly Hills , USA

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Hamas the ones who broke the cease fire?

Gene, Tampa, USA

The protesters are justified in their anger - there can be no excuse at all for the mass murder of close to 300 Gazans, especially considering that most of them were civilians.

Suhail Shafi, Atlanta, USA

Israel has a right to defend its people. Where were the protesters as Hamas kept sending rockets into Israel. Both sides need to want to have peace before it can happen

Jim, Sheboygan, WI, U.S.A.

Where do you get he term Palestine? Before 1947 the area was called Trans Jordan. Not any of the Arab countries will take the Palestinians as refugees. When one fires 400 missiles into another country, what do you expect the attacked country to do.

John Dooley, Sr., Henderson, United States

How much better would Palestinians' lives be today if they had negotiated many years ago, giving up their dreams of going back to farming and instead "settling for" peaceful funded growth toward a high-employment nation of manufacturing, medicine, finance and education. Unwise leadership is terrible

John Schaefer, Burton, MI, USA

I guess when Germany was raining down rockets and sending bombers over England we should have all stood by urging restraint until a REAL threat or invasion force arrived on British shores. And you call us in the USA hipocrites.

Chris, Basco, USA

Jewish groups quite understandibly attacked the British when they were over there, why is that any different to what Palestinians now do. There are double standards in how Palestinians are treated. I just hope that Muslims can find a focused voice for their cause without alienising normal people.

Rachel , London, UK

Easy analogy:
Imagine Ireland would launch rockets to Belfast, day in/day out. Just like Palestinians, they think it's their territory.
What would Britain's response be?
"Measured response" is a myth. You can not answer terrorism with terrorism. Your only response is decisive military force.

Leo, New Haven, United States

The Jews are onlypeople such as everyone else! how much can one group take without defending themselves. If one stops throwing the other will be forced to do the same. Unles sthe first to stop are the Jews! then the other keeps on throwing! Time and time again there have been options.

George , Toms River, USA

It's interesting to read so few outside the US who are unwilling to condemn the actions of Hamas prior to the Israeli retaliation. The Jew haters have certainly spread throughout the world. Obviously they though what Hamas was doing was simply OK.

Jeff, Washington DC,

Hamas was elected by these so called innocent people. So if Hamas is launching rockets into Israel and Israel responds with force, and there is collateral damage or injuries, it is not really innocent bystanders. They are getting what they voted for and so are we in the U.S. the rest of the world sees a weak leader on the way with Obama. This is why we will end up in a major war because eventually we will have to respond when the rest of the world is going to test us. God help us all.

Neal, Charleston, WV, U.S.A.

Why is it okay for Hamas to rain down missiles on Israel and no one protests. But if Israel defends itself, everyone protests. Are the Israelis supposed to just sit and take it? It's sheer bigotry at its worst.

maggie, NYC, USA

Suppose I had a council flat and the flat got burnt down. Would it be sane to ask the local council to give me a new place in Pakistan? because my parents came from Pakistan?

So in the same way Jewish people were killed by Germans, so why was Israel not created inside German borders?

Bilal Manzoor, Kirkcaldy, Scotland

There are Muslim Arabs living peacefully in Israel (Abu Gosh). During the war of independence, they simply said they wanted to live in peace with Israel. Israelis heavily visit this town. Stop the suicide bombers and missiles. Stop the terrorism and we can live in peace too.

Aryeh, Jerusalem, Israel

I always have to wonder, why these rioters don't go back to their home countries to fight for their cause, instead of rioting in another's country.

If they feel so strongly about it, then go back and fight for your beliefs.

bobc, Ky, USA

the civilians in Gaza know the people launching rockets! they are no less guilty than the ones aiming them.

after all, as it has been repeatedly touted here, Hamas was democratically elected by the people.

Jonathan, Cambridge, US

Continued sympathy for terrorists firing rockets into people's homes and neighborhoods will only bring the same actions to your own country.
Patience may be a virtue but when rockets are raining down on your people it tends to be a commodity in short supply.

daryl, Riesel, USA

Hi all.. Can someone tell when is the next protest in London?
I want to join in also .

Usman , london, UK

"Palestine" was home to many people, and the Jews were there first.
1923: the British divide the "Palestine" portion of the Ottoman Empire into two districts. Jews would be permitted only west of the Jordan river. In effect, the British had "chopped off" 75% of the original Jewish district.

Harry, NY,

Should not bring a knife to a gun fight .

Al, Florida, USA

Sadly and ironically, the hypocrisy on the part of Hamas, Palestinians, and their sympathizers toward attacks on Israel will only serve to desensitize clear-thinking people to the deaths of civilians surrounding Hamas. Not that all of those people are innocent. They are getting what they voted for.

Reed, Atlanta, USA

Palestine. yes it is Palestine, if someone came and took your country, i dont think u'll just stand there! how can you blame people defending their land and children? how can u support the ones who are answering a stone with a bomb, and one bomb with a thousand? wake up

halla, oxford, uk

This weekend I have decided to withdraw any and all support for ISRAEL I will not visit, send Money or even buy what they produce

Philip, Brighton,

Israel should not have been created in Arab homelands, as Ghandi said "Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English" The only way out of this is to give the land now known as Israel back to the Arabs and create a new homeland for the Jews in the USA.

john, london, uk

Israelis reminds me of white South Africans I met before apartied ended. They would say "What do you want us to do, give everything up and walk away?" Well yes, it is the only way to peace! (I and thought it was going to be Iran that was going to get "done" before Cheney left)

Paul, Hertford, UK

Well done the protesters. Israel needs to understand that it is well on the way to becoming a Pariah State. We should expel the Ambassador and Military Attache.

Carl, London, UK

Hamas were democratically elected by the palestinian people so why do the Bush administration not recognise that and let hamas run their state. And what is it that a nuclear country like Israel scared of when they have all the war planes and american bombs and tanks ,a few mortar bombs?

leonard dell, England, England

I was at the protest and it went really well i am glad they had to block off the high street :) well done, we defiantly made a point in a short space of time, and there was no blood, the news just like to fabricate the issue. A healthy protest that's what I say.

Naila, London,

where was these young( Muslims always first British a distant second ) when terrorists were launching rockets into a sovereign nation, where was their outrage then.........their silence then is very telling to me...

Shawn, MN, USA

Go ahead and continue to wrongfully blame Israel for defending it's people. Let's see, if somebody continually attacked your family, you'd just sit there and take it right? Israel has a right to defend against those who would rather see Israel wiped off the map rather than co-exist with it.

Stephen Hugli, DERRY, US

As long as Gazan Palestinians continue to fire rockets and mortars at Israeli civilians they invite retaliation. Any country being attacked from the territory of another country has the right to defend itself by striking out at the source of the attacks as Israel has done. It was Hamas which ended

David, Fort Branch, USA

Israel had 6 months of truce ...but it keeps punishing the population of Gaza because Hamas is the authority, though elected democratically ( have been declared a terrorist organisation by America. Ironically the same State of Israel keep teasing its Arab neighbours on democracy! Where is Justice!

Chang, Taipei, Taiwan

All of you who protest the actions of Hamas certainly have a point. The actions of Hamas were detrimental to the Palestinian people. The Israeli airstrikes were indeed aimed at military targets, but civilians also died. The eye for an eye approach in Israel has led to unending bloodshed.

ron paul, mobile, U.S.

the world has changed and these israeli atrocities cannot be allowed to continue. The usual pro Israeli propaganda responses that swamp the comments have the same credibility as articles by holocaust deniers.

john west, auckland, new zealand

When are the protests against muslim terrorists scheduled?

Dax, Denver, USA

Its too sad. Overwhelming force on penniless people. People who are destitute because Israel wants it that way. frankly I'm disgusted with the AIPAC lobby in the USA. No way can Israel Justify the slaughter of people this way. The best way to end the violence is to stop giving israel aid.

Dru, Glen Cove, USA

Flat out: The actions of Israel are incosistent with the principles of the United States---it is perhaps time to consider the possibility that we chose the wrong ally in the Middle East.

Dan Boese, Tustin Ranch, California, USA

It's interesting that all the pro-Israel comments come from the USA. It's the usual one casualty from rockets vs 300 casualties from the Israeli response. Can't the yanks understand that seeing their school children murdered in the street is what drives Palestinians suicide bombers on?

Oliver , Calgary, Canada

What is Israel to do? Agree to not exist?

kodac, brady, usa

Appalling ... British kowtowing to the political machinations of Hamas and the vocal muslims within our midst who only see the proverbial sun shining from their own kind. I support Israel's re-action to the blatant disregard for their right to exist by the palestinians who did vote Hamas to power.

Steven, London, UK

What did the Palestinians expect? How long did they think Israel would allow them to attack them? Who WAS the first to attack since the end of the peace agreement?

Heywood Jablome, Marietta,GA, USA

If the IRA was dedicated to the OBLITERATION of Britain - and were shooting rockets into British cities such as Liverpool & Manchester - killing innocent civilians - we would quite rightly retaliate. And if the IRA purposely put their militia in civilian areas - then deaths would be THEIR fault.

David Hendrix, London, England

Hamas builds its military infrastructure in the heart of heavily populated zones - in other words, using Palestinians as human shields, in clear and direct violation of Article 28 of the 4th Geneva Convention: http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/FULL/380?OpenDocument

Scott, Chicago,

300 Palestinians (many civilians) have been killed over the past 2 days, at the hand of Israeli attacks. I think we would be able to count the number of Israeli victims Hamas attacks have claimed in the past month on one hand. Israel's retaliation measures are as always extreme and disgraceful.

Emilie, London, UK

The BBC are still repeating the police estimate of 700 protestors, and the Times deserves credit for having the gravitas to challenge the police estimate. In previous unrelated demonstrations that I have personally counted I have noticed the police underestimated the number of protestors by a factor of three. This implies police bias and should be perhaps challenged directly by some journalist in future using photographic evidence.

Danny, Forth, Scotland

The Israelis have shown tremendous restraint to this point. We'd never tolerate the behavior of any neighboring country shelling us (USA) with rockets in our cities even for a day. It's pure nonsense to suggest Israel should continue to let their northern cities be shelled daily and do nothing!

Steve, Reading, USA

Hamas chose to break the cease fire and launch missiles from Gaza. Every nation has the right to defend itself. If Hamas choses to plant its military facilities in residential neighborhoods, then it is on their heads the blame lies for death and injuries of civilians.

Vivian, New York, United States

You'd think they'd be protesting Hamas buying rockets and starting wars instead of building homes and making peace.

Craig Eliot, New York, USA

Have you all forgotten what started this? Gaza/Hamas has been firing rockets into Israel for years ears now and recently escalated their attacks. Where were all the protests when young Israeli children were being killed by those rockets? How about equal condemnation for both sides?

Bill, Kirkland, USA

It's real simple, don't fire at Israel and Israel won't fire at you. Duh!

Wally, Minneapolis, USA

When the Arabs stop lobbing missiles into Israel and recognize its right to exist, things will be better. Until then, bombs away.

TJ, Alameda, USA

God we pray for peace...Palestinian and Israel God is One God.
We pray endlessly for peace.

xoxoxoxoxo

Joan, Carmel, USA

I was all prepared to comment on the atrocious behaviour of these terrorist sympathisers but was pleased to see, with the few obvious exceptions, that the posters here have not been fooled.

Roy Mann, texas, usa

I have yet to hear one single Palestinian explain why it is OK for them to rain down missiles on Israel over the past year. Why is that OK? You Palestinians who are contributing must know something I missed. Please enlighten the rest of us. We are waiting. Thanks in advance.

Michelle M, northern California, USA

The Israeli disengagement from Gaza was to encourage peaceful coexistence with the Palestinians & to establish a workable precedent for a final resolution to the conflict. Hamas & the Palestinians have shown us how they wish to resolve this conflict & are now being held accountable for their actions

Anthony, Jerusalem, Israel

Why was there no outry when the Palestinians were firing rockets into the Israeli sector????

Lesa, El Cajon, USA

When Obama gets sworn in all this unrest will be taken care of
and we won't have to worry about all this protesting.

Eugene L, Bellingham WA,

I think America will eventually be pulled into this childish game. Put it to rest. I'm so sick to death with the middle east and their adolescent actions. America is the land of all religion,races and languages. We live together in a constant truce. You should try it sometime.

Larry, Burbank, USA

Out of all countries israel should know better. since it was created it has been an aggressive force in the region supported by a guilty west. Instead of using this support to repatriate and create a stable space for itself in the region it has spent on arms and oppression-small thanks to the US..

robin, london, UK

Why can't Israel defend itself?

Hamas should be ashamed of itself--using civilian neighborhoods as rocket and mortar sites.

Michael, Washington, DC, USA

So it's O.K. to target civilians with rockets, but it's not O.K. to target the militants who fire them?
Most of the dead in Gaza are militant, I didn't see any demonstration against firing rockets on civilians.

Jean , Paris,

Of course, the few people that were at the rally claim violence only existed on the part of the police. Pretty realistic parallel to what happens in Israel.

Mike, London, UK

To Rachel in Brighton
I'm not Muslim
I am not horrified at the Israeli response to the rocket attacks either. What do you expect? If you launch rockets at civilians with the intent to kill and injure them, you can bet the government of that nation will use force to protect themselves.

Bill Whatcott, Edmonton, Canada

Israel has not overreacted at all. Hamas has terrorized the Israeli people. What about a protesting their hateful actions?

Meg, Chicago, USA

My brother and I were in the West End in 2005 and came upon a Muslim protest then. The hatred that was spewing forth was astonishing. The PC movement has got to go. Free speech is one thing; but, hate speech is completely different.

stevedave, Tampa, FL, USA

Why didn't they riot over the 200 to 300 rockets being fired into Israel each day?

Timmie Tee, Bisbee, Arizona, USA

If only the protesters had given equal condemnation over the past few years to the thousands of rockets and mortar shells that the Palestinians of Gaza had been raining down on Israeli civilians, perhaps the Israeli counter-attacks would not have been necessary. Their hypocrisy is appalling.

Dan Gismero, Miami, USA

The Israelis withdrew completely from Gaza months and months ago, yet Hamas continued to shoot rockets into southern Israel literally every day (they still do), yet Israel is supposed to do nothing about this? Hamas has rocket launchers embedded into civilian areas to discourage retaliation.

Bob , Stamford, USA

Where was all the protesting by Muslims when Hamas launched 100 rockets into Israel in the days before Israel launched the air strikes? What did they think was going to happen? Cant have your cake and eat it too.

David, Texas, USA

Israelis are supposed to sit idly by and let their communities be bombed day after day and not make a big deal about it. The hypocrisy of the Palestinian can be demonstrated in this one fact. All hostilities would cease if Israel converted to Islam. Its not land folks. Its religion.

William C Smith, San Antonio, U.S.

It's ridiculous that a country protecting itself against aggression perpetrated against it is so villified. The Palestinians started this after the cease fire ended. No country, if attacked in the same was as Israel was, would stand for it. They would retaliate in a significan way. So should Israel.

Dennis, Woodstock, USA

In Texas we just call this common sense! When someone attacks your home and family - you shoot back!!!!

Jim, Midland, TX, USA

There will be no peace , until the unilateral shrill of hateful terrorist rhetoric is silenced , and the voices of peace and reason in the arab world rise up to take their place,families in the middle east can then live in peace, instead of terror

tomi, kansas city, usa

I froze (a tiny price) outside the Israeli embassy for 3 hours today to show my support for the Palestinian people, and also to show young muslims (the majority of the crowd) that non-muslim British people are horrified and saddened in equal measure. The dignified conduct of the crowd touched me.

Rachel Bowles, Brighton,

Presumably these peaceniks were simply taking a break from their demonstrations elsewhere of their displeasure with those who have been lobbing munitions into Israel for many years. Presumably.

John Lowbridge, Hanson, USA

Where were the protesters when the rockets were being fired into Israel? Where was the International outrage when Israeli's were being killed by "innocent" rockets???? What a double standard!

john, warsaw, poland

I was at the protest until 4pm & did not witness any violence. There were many families with children as well as orthodox Jews protesting Israel. The barricades in the street were pushed aside about 30 mins in, but there was hardly even a crowd surge. All was very controlled-no damage to property.

Helen, london, uk