More than 100 at Gaza protest in Leamington

The Leamington-based Justice For Palestinians, which aims to promote peace between Israel and Palestine, only organised the event one week before it took place - but members were “delighted” with the turn-out.

Marylin Dixon of the group said: “We were all delighted. We brought along 600 leaflets and they all disappeared in two minutes.

“It was peaceful - we did not chant any slogans as that’s not our style and it’s not the Leamington style.”

Although Marylin admits that there have been a lot of similar events occuring around the UK, she said: “I do think they all help with raising awareness and achieving solidarity. We feel there has been a sea-change in attitudes in the Leamington area.”

The group, which now has around 70 members, started in 2009 as a response to the Gaza War of December 2008 to January 2009, also known as ‘Operation Cast Lead’, during which around 1,400 Palestians and 13 Israelis died.

Since Israel launched this latest military offensive on July 8 - with the stated aim of stopping the Islamist group Hamas from firing rockets into Israel - more than 1,200 Palestinians and 55 Israelis have been killed.

Members of Justice For Palestinians are staging another demonstration outside Leamington town hall on Saturday (August 2) from 3pm. Anyone is welcome to join in. To find out more, email [email protected]