Protests against Gaza attack sweep across the world

From Jakarta to London, a wave of protest erupted across the world today against Israel's assault on Gaza. More than 10,000 marched through the Indonesian capital and Israeli flags were burnt and trampled upon in Asia as the Palestinian death toll in the offensive rose above 430, including three young brothers killed this morning. In Egypt, which shares a border with Israel and Gaza, thousands of riot police have been deployed in a bid to calm growing anger. Around 5,000 people gathered to protest in the city of Ismailia. "We demand the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador," read one banner. Egyptian police detained 40 members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo as protests turned violent, witnesses claimed that at least one demonstrator was beaten with truncheons. Thousands of protesters who gathered in Istanbul burnt Israeli flags. They marched through the Turkish city waving Palestinian flags and chanting "Israeli murderers, get out of Palestine" and "Muslims, don't sleep, defend Palestine". Bulent Gedikli, a senior official from Turkey's ruling party, did little to soothe the frustration by condemning the Israeli aerial bombardment as "a crime against humanity". In reference to the attack on President Bush last month, he claimed that Ehud Olmert, the Israeli Prime Minister, "deserved a pair of shoes to be thrown at him". Around 3,000 Afghans held a similar demonstration in Kabul, burning Israeli flags and chanting anti-American slogans. A smaller protest was also held in the Philippines where demonstrators carried placards saying Israel is a "butcher of children" and accusing it of war crimes. Reihana Melencio, who organized the protest, accused Israel of genocide. "This is one of the strongest militaries on earth and attacking a people who can only shoot back some old rockets, sticks and stones," she said. In Jakarta, men, women and children waved Indonesian and Palestinian flags and held banners that read: "Save Palestine from Israel, the terrorist." They marched to the US Embassy, which was guarded by hundreds of police. In London, a group of politicians and celebrities held a press conference to condemn the attacks ahead of a major rally to be held in the city tomorrow. Smaller protests have been held outside the Israeli embassy throughout the week. Alexei Sayle, an actor and comedian, said he was speaking out because it was important for Jewish voices to be heard. He said: "I want to feel proud of Israel, I want to be proud of my people but I am ashamed."