If you're going to burn a flag, please don't use man made fibres; this one smelled awful. Yes, that is a hassidic jew burning an Israeli flag, giving the very important reminder that race or tribe does not equate with government; that woudl be like holding me responsible for the invasion of Iraq, say.

I was at the afternoon demonstration outside the Israeli Embassy, a mix of everyone possible, really. There's a national demo at Parliament Sq on Saturday (2pm)* ; if what you read & see on the news appalls you, please be there. Don't be put off by 'extremists' (whatever they are, from wherever you're standing), the more people there who want a peaceful solution, the better. Frustratingly I'll be pulling out a much hated sound desk at work that day, but I'll be there in spirit. To reiterate, please be part of the peaceful majority?

People tell me it's not worth going to demos, but it is, if you believe in the cause; you're reminded you're not the only one, in one way or another your voice is heard (poll tax, apartheid, anyone?), and you to buy marvellous* publications like The Proletarian,which bnot only celebrates the centenary of Enver Hoxha, but urges Hamas to launch more rockets. Call me an old hippy, but I've yet to see how an escalation of violence ever solves anything, and it's certainly the last thing the middle east needs, in my opinion. I can also completely understand why those living in Gaza or the West Bank would turn to violence; you would too.

Palestine isn't even a country that far away, not that that matters. Dual Evening Standard boards tonight proclaimed 'riot police protect embassy' and 'Israel to 'fight to bitter end''. Politics and money are far too far removed from the lives of real people (and subjective news impossible to find), but to connect a little try this blog and Palestine Monitor.

If you can be there on Saturday, and care, then please do, It will make a difference, it will.


* it's still OK to take the piss out of Marxist-Leninists, right? Or indeed any self-righteous far left faction? To acquire some of my cynicism, read (and enjoy) 'Redemption ' by Tariq Ali