HUNDREDS of demonstrators took to Southend High Street to call for an end to the fighting in Israel and Palestine.

Long-standing tensions on the Israel-Palestinian border erupted into violence a month ago when Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack which killed more than 1,400 people.

It has been estimated a total of 1,500 Israelis have been killed, with a reported 9,770 Palestinian fatalities sustained in retaliatory attacks.

At noon on Saturday, more than 200 people gathered in Pier Hill and marched down towards Victoria Circus in protest against the conflict.

Echo: Multi-ethnic – there were people of different ethnicity at the protestMulti-ethnic – there were people of different ethnicity at the protest (Image: Gaz de Vere)

There, several people made speeches describing the horrors of the conflict in the Middle East, which are showing no signs of abating.

Sarah Choudhry, 46, attended the march with her four-year-old son.

Mrs Choudhry, who lives in Chalkwell, is Caucasian and has a Muslim husband, Jewish sister-in-law, and Christian parents.

She explained: “Our family is multifaith and multi-cultural – we all live together harmoniously and have no issues.

Echo: Peaceful – there is not said to have been any conflict involved during the protestPeaceful – there is not said to have been any conflict involved during the protest (Image: Gaz de Vere)

“It’s very difficult when you see people pitted against each other.”

Mrs Choudhry added a sense of helplessness compelled her to take part in the march.

She said: “There seems to be no other strategy on the table for removing Hamas.

“For the children in Gaza it feels like there is nothing we can do here.

Echo: Support – a man shows his allegiance to Israel, which has also suffered in the conflictSupport – a man shows his allegiance to Israel, which has also suffered in the conflict (Image: Gaz de Vere)

“A peaceful protest is the best way forward, and I wore my poppy because it’s a symbol of peace and the march was about finding peace for people.”

Mrs Choudhry, who is not religious, said every race and religion was represented at the march.

She added: “I’m white, my husband is of Pakistani heritage, and we saw people we know at the march from work, from the mosque, the church, the synagogue – it wasn’t just the Arab community.

Echo: Visible – between 200 and 300 people were at the marchVisible – between 200 and 300 people were at the march (Image: Gaz de Vere)

“It was peaceful and friendly – there was some chanting, but that was it.”

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators demanding a halt to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza marched in Paris, Berlin and other European cities on Saturday.

The marches reflected growing disquiet in Europe about the mounting civilian casualty toll and suffering from the Israel-Hamas war.