CAMPAIGNERS were out in force in Southend town centre as part of a rally calling for peace in Gaza.

About 80 people gathered at the Millennium Clock for the demonstration on Saturday, which was organised by Southend Stop the War Coalition.

The demonstration was prompted by Israel’s invasion of Gaza, which has resulted in more than 1,000 deaths. The invastion was in response to rocket attacks on southern Israel by the militant group Hamas.

Families and seasoned demonstrators called for an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal by Israeli troops, humanitarian aid for the Palestinians and a negotiated peace settlement.

There were speeches by organisers and members of the Southend Mosque, the Basildon Islamic Centre, and other groups.

Among those showing their support was the Rev Stephen Burdett, team rector for Southend, who said he had been stirred into action by recent coverage of the desperate situation in the Palestinian enclave.

Mr Burdett, who is based at St John’s Church, Southend, said: “I have been very balanced before, trying to see the conflict from both sides. But these last few weeks, I’ve had enough and it’s worn me out.

“I think the killing of the little children we’ve seen so much, turned me and I thought it’s got to end.

“We want a real, just solution there.”

Also out in force were four generations of the same family, including a great grandmother who grew up in Israel, but now lives in Southchurch.

Bernice Clarke, 89, said: “I feel very strongly about what’s happening.

“We don’t support what’s going on in Gaza.

“My family were among the first Jewish settlers of Israel.”

Mrs Clarke, who was born in Poland but escaped the Nazis to come to England in 1944, said she has written a protest letter in Hebrew to the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert.

Mrs Clarke’s grand daughter Vanessa Longley, 35, of Avenue Road, Westcliff, was alongside her with her own daughter, four-year-old, Eliana.

She said: “If people aren’t willing to stand up and say something, it won’t ever change. They need to stop dropping bombs and start finding a solution.”

The rally passed off peacefully, but there were some tense moments when counter-demonstrators shouted slogans in support of Israel’s actions.

One, who identified himself as Lee from Southend, said: “All the killing ought to stop, but you don’t get peace when just one side stops fighting.”