MORE THAN 100 pro-Palestine protestors have rallied in Bournemouth Square after violence erupted in Israel and Gaza.

“You don’t need to be Palestinian, Arab or Muslim. You just need to be human. Wake up”.

These are the words daubed on a placard at a demonstration in the town centre.

Scores of people have gathered today waving flags and chanting slogans such as ‘free Palestine’.

Bombs have rained down on the Gaza strip over the past week leaving hundreds of thousands displaced.

The recent Middle Eastern crisis was sparked when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel killing some 1,300 people.  

This afternoon, residents showed their support for Palestine.

Bournemouth Echo:

Heam Ghazal, 32 from Bournemouth said: “We're just trying to bring awareness because obviously the media is making it look like that it's just the Palestinians that are at fault here.

“We just want to bring awareness that there are many Palestinian children and women that are dying right now from this situation.”

Bournemouth Echo:

Speaking on the protest, Monty Sharif, 48 from Bournemouth said: “It's been a good turnout.

“We're here for everyone, not just for the Palestinians.

“The poor people, even the Jewish people. We are against innocent people who got indicted because Islam is against anyone not allowed to kill. Women, children, innocent people.

“As much we support the Palestinians as the victims, but as well, we're for others as well.”

Bournemouth Echo:

Carrie Hartridge, chair of UNISON Dorset Health also attended.

She said: “I think it's been well supported, and I think it's been brilliant that there have been so many residents who have supported this and who aren't believing everything that they're reading in the newspapers.

“I'm proud to be asked to be here and represent as chair of Dorset Health for Unison as well.

“I think what is going on in Gaza is a horrible situation on both sides and we don't condone killing on either side.

“We're here for peace, and to try and talk to people and to explain to people not to believe everything that they're reading.

“And our hearts go out to everybody who's stuck in Gaza now.

“But primarily, we're here for peace. We're here for peace in the Middle East.

“We're here for peace for all the innocent people that are being killed.”

Bournemouth Echo:

Samil, a 63-year-old visiting Bournemouth said: “It's a great movement, small, but great.”

Olaya Elhamdani from Bournemouth said: “Everything happening in Gaza is really sad. Shouldn't be happening.

“No killing should be happening.

“Especially killing children. Shouldn't be happening at all.”