Press Association  - Saturday July 22

Protests against Israeli attacks on Lebanon will take place across the UK as the British Government continues to resist pressure to back an immediate ceasefire and Israel looks set to escalate the conflict.

Israeli troops and tanks have massed on Lebanon`s border, and officials said the army was preparing for a limited incursion in the near future.

The 10-day offensive has mostly been fought by air and naval forces, though Israeli soldiers have conducted limited operations near the border to target Hezbollah guerrillas and their outposts.

Thousands of people will join demonstrations against the attacks. They have been called by groups including the Stop The War Coalition and the Muslim Association of Britain to highlight "crimes against humanity".

A spokesman for the protests said: "Israel`s war in Gaza and Lebanon is escalating into an international crisis which could soon engulf the whole region.

"The promise by (President George) Bush and (Prime Minister Tony) Blair in the lead up to the Iraq war that their wars would bring freedom and democracy to the Middle East and peace to Palestine, have yet again been shown to be lies, just as the anti-war movement has consistently said they were."

The demonstration in London will include a march past the US Embassy and a rally in Hyde Park to be addressed by veteran peace protester and former Labour minister Tony Benn.

Demonstrations will also be held in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Kirkcaldy, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York.

A rally will be held in Kenton, Middlesex on Sunday in support of Israel`s "right to defend itself", the Board of Deputies of British Jews said.

Henry Grunwald, President of the board, said: "At a time when the situation in the Middle East is extremely precarious, we would like to send a message of support to the people of Israel."