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Starbucks was not targeted because of support for Israel. Starbucks was targeted because the CEO is Jewish. Israel is not targeted because of any human rights issues, it is hated pure and simply because it is a Jewish state. Arab have some of the worlds most appalling human rights records e.g. the revolting way in which Christians are treated in Egypt and the slaughter in Darfur. Yet we will never see these same Jew haters demonstrating or even becoming vocal against Arab human rights abuses.

- Martin, London UK.

I was at the march. I saw a guy on top of the gates outside the embassy. All of a sudden a line of riot police surged across the road in front of us, blocking our way. People were unnerved and intimidated and chanted against the police for blocking the way. The police moved aside and let us pass. It was then that things got especially heated. The police formed into a group on the south side of the high street, brandishing their truncheons and shields menacingly. People goaded them and some sticks were thrown. The police responded by charging the crowd. I think it was then that the shops were attacked. Starbucks was definitely the target (I understand that the owner is a known supporter of Israel). After this hundreds of us (men, women and children, the young and the old) were corralled for 5 hrs in freezing temperatures by riot police on foot to the north, west and south and on horse to the east (any mention of this in the press?) I saw two people who had collapsed carried away during the period of our incarceration. We were let out in little groups of three or four, filmed and our names taken. I firmly believe that this was all done to scare us away from attending the next demonstration. It will have the opposite effect. Those (especially Americans) who question demos about the Middle East taking place on the streets of London (or, indeed, Washington) need to educate themselves. Over1000 Palestinians dead, 13 Israelis (3 civilians). Get real!

- Peter, London, UK

You Brits better start doing something about the radical Islamic masses in your country before it's too late! How the heck you can tolerate these frenzied terror supporters marching in your streets is simply unbelievable.

Paul from Canada - the only country that had the balls to say "NO" to the recent Jew-hating, Israel-bashing UNHRC resolution.

- Paul, Canada

Anarchists and terrorists have one thing in common, they see injury to as many people as possible, in as many ways as possible, and as publicly as possible, as a way to express themselves (they can only express themselves verbally by screaming out carbon copy invective and rhetoric by rote - not too smart as a group, these people). They couldn't care less about individuals, they just get their jollies from mayhem and destruction. They don't even care if they are putting people off from protesting legitimately (for fear of either the consequences of the anarchist's actions, or from being associated with the trouble makers who have usurped the protests again and again).

They are all, anarchists and terrorists alike, a pretty despicable bunch of low-lives, when all is said and done.

- Rogan, Irving

The case for putting embassies more securely away from business and residential areas - like the US Embassy is planning to do - is long overdue.

- Peter Seekings-Foster, Mildenhall, Suffolk.

What's the point of rioting over here? You're protesting in the wrong country folks...

- Perplexed Uk Citizen, London

I was out doing a bit of shopping on Saturday and witnessed police and protesters talking and joking, all appeared well, it seems a load of kids and so called anarchists spolied the atmosphere as usual. Maybe the anarchists should go and be anarchists in another less liberal country and see what sort of reception they get! It will probably be more than a persuasive shove from a british bobby, and the kids go back to school so that they can learn where Gaza is on a map; I doubt many of them know.

- Nev, London

Perhaps the Israeli Army should be asked to deal with these alleged peaceful demonstrators in London

- Brian, Barry,Wales

You ain't seen nothing yet!

- Morvan, Saulieu, France

I live in Kensington, very close to the site of the main protest. The violence was totally mindless (thanks to the 'peace protestor' who smashed my car windows) and a sizeable minority of those on the protest were radical and deeply unpleasant - I saw large groups of young men walking down side streets chanting 'Taliban, Taliban'. The problem with this type of protest is that it attracts the usual fundamentalist idiots, the self promoters and the sort of people who see any protest as a good excuse to fight the police and cause trouble. Therefore, even if you agree with the cause (and I think most people think Israel has gone way too far) most people don't want to be associated with the sort of people who went on this March.

By the way, at the moment the Isreali embassy is closed for reconstruction and has been for a few months ....

- Toby, London

Pro Hamas ends in a riot, Pro Israel end with just two arrests. Says it all really.

Judging by the behaviour of "these" people on two occasions now, they should loose their right to protest and be moved on at the slightest evidence of a gathering. The damaged business's should also sue the stop the war Coalition, as they organised the event.

- Colin, London

Kev, in Belgium a few years ago there was a massive paedophile scandal that went to the highest level.
1million people marched, in silence, to the seat of government.
Many minster and official's felt the need to resign.

As for the pool tax that was doomed as was the Tory's at the time.

So how about a silent march?

- Liberal Thinker, UK

Re Khalid - "However i believe the food restaurants were not targeted, missiles were thrown at police and stray objects accidentally hit the shop fronts."

Thats ok then,these shops/restaurants are obviously innocent civilian bystanders whilst mindless terrorists attack the authorities!!! sounds familiar... isn't that what people were marching against!

stop making excuses!

- Anon, London

Wonder if the police video cameramen deigned to turn up this weekend? They were certainly noticeable by their absence at last weekend's demo.

- Anne, London, England

Strange the minimal press on this? If any English groups acted the same way it would be reported up and the down the nation.

- Brandon Thomas, London UK

The Stop the War Coalition is an odd mix of leftwing luvvies, anti-US/anti-Globalisation-campaigners (hence the attack on Starbucks), Mayday-rioters and fanatical Muslims. They do NOT have my sympathy or support, and I don't want anything to do with them. And no, I'm not a Tory - I'm actually left-ish myself. But these people really go against my grain with their unfounded, undifferentiated views.

- Paulina Smid, London, UK

In one respect i can understand this behaviour as it is clear no government takes a blind bit of notice of a peacefully demonstration,1 million people demonstrated against the invasion of Iraq peacefully to no effect.On the other hand the pole tax riots effectively sealed Thatchers fate and with it her baby the pole tax.Passions run high quiet rightly when the public see such one sided violence and children being slaughtered,This is compounded by the silence from government ministers.If pacifism worked governments would not invest in army's.

- Kev, London-UK

Khalid,
Does that mean you think it OK to throw missiles at the police?

- Dereck, London England

Blessed be the UK for allowing the right to protest, however in civilised countries, protest must be peaceful. The violent element shows of again the Pro Palestinians following footsteps of terrorist outfit Hamas...Not good PR for the average innocent suffering Palestinians. In the other hand, the Pro Israeli protest was peacful...by the way, I am neither pro Palestinian or pro Israel. I believe that both ruling parties are completely spiritualy ignorant, fanatical and completely selfish and idiotic. Both are the cause of sufferings of their citizens...When will the majority of citizens from both nations, who want peace, reject their govs and build anew based on tolerance and humanity?

- Arjun Bhakta, London UK

To quote an earlier comment: 'However i believe the food restaurants were not targeted, missiles were thrown at police and stray objects accidentally hit the shop fronts', does anyone else find it slightly worrying that a demonstrator seems to think it is acceptable to target police? The demonstration the next day was peaceful, it was not filled with mindless hate chants, rather a call for peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike. The problem is that Hamas, in addition to being a terrorist organisation that has no regard for Israeli or Palestinian life, does not recognise Israel's right to exist, the occupation that Hamas refers to is not in relation to Gaza/West Bank they see the state of Israel as an occupation, their aim is to destroy the state. I am confident that many participants in the anti-Israel protests do not support such violent acts as those seen on Saturday, however I am also sure that they do not understand what Hamas stand for. By all means call for peace, analyse the situation, march for peace, but if you align yourselves with the core which act in a violent manner and support an organisation such as Hamas be expected to be judged by their actions.

- Shalom, Salam, Peace, USA

i think these people should go and protest in israel if they fee so strongly but they wouldn't have the courage - easier to try and destroy local businesses that have no connection whatsoever. How does that constructively solve a problem which is happening in a distant land

- Mike, portsmouth

I very nearly went to this demo and I am now glad I didnt.

How can a protest against violence have any impact if it involves violence?

Once again the few spoil it for the masses.

- Liberal Thinker, UK

"However i believe the food restaurants were not targeted, missiles were thrown at police and stray objects accidentally hit the shop fronts."

oh thats okay then Khalid

- Aesir, Albion

I am confused. How does Starbucks support the state of Israel?

- Stephen, London

Give guns to our Police. Once they shoot the first rioter, the rest would run away.

- Dave Davies, Basingstoke

Enough is enough. People have a right to protest, but the rest of us also have the right to go about our daily business without being threatened with mob violence. Any further trouble should be dealt with sharply by the police.
In this case, it's a great shame that a minority of thugs and criminals have ruined what was supposed to be a peaceful protest.
Abject cowardice, too, from the Stop the War spokesman, who seems too afraid to condemn thos
e responsible for ruining the day.

- M, London

I was there in the midst as some did damage shop fronts.

However I believe Starbucks was attacked because there is an ongoing boycott of Israeli products one of which listed is Starbucks.

Starbucks support the state of israel and america, hence it was seen as a prime target by the protestors.

However i would like to take this opportunity and apologize on behalf of the majority of people who were peacefully demonstrating. The Art shop and the American apparel shop should not have been damaged. However i believe the food restaurants were not targeted, missiles were thrown at police and stray objects accidentally hit the shop fronts.

- Khalid, London

Putting Starbucks to one side for a moment, what is the point in attacking small independent businesses? How is putting family businesses at risk going to help end the conflict in Gaza and ease the suffering of the Palestinian people?

There were thousands of legitimate protesters who have nothing to do with this - this minority of idiots need to realise the damage that they are doing to the peace campaign.

- Mark Lee, Vauxhall

ah yes - a peaceful protest from the Arab Street who have come to London to give Londoners a taste of what the UK will be like when the Green Flag of Islam hangs proudly over Number 10

- Interested Observer, larchmont, ny USA

Just goes to show what type of people here in London support Hamas. Welcome to London where terrorists and their followers can do whatever they want

- Macc, London

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