Thousands join protest against Israeli military action

Thousands of people today joined a national demonstration in London against the Israeli military boarding Gaza-bound aid vessels.

Activists began to march from Downing Street to the Israeli Embassy to mark their "outrage" against the deaths of nine pro-Palestinian activists who were killed when Israeli forces stopped a Turkish aid vessel trying to break a maritime blockade.

Demonstrators also expressed their anger that the Israeli navy has boarded one of the last ships on the flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The Irish/Malaysian owned vessel, MV Rachel Corrie, was seized by forces, preventing it from breaking the blockade of the Hamas-ruled territory.

Among the protesters was Sarah Colborne, 43, of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, who was aboard the Turkish Mavi Marmara Gaza aid ship where the activists died.

She spent almost two days in Israeli custody before coming back to Britain.

Ms Colborne, from London, said the activists on the boat were on a purely on a relief mission.