London: Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators clashed outside British Prime Minister David Cameron's London residence today ahead of a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Police officers separated the two groups into pens and took away at least two protesters following scuffles and chanting by both sides, according to an AFP photographer.
"At around midday a number of demonstrators made their way out of both pens and onto Whitehall, briefly blocking the road," police said in a statement.
Around 400 pro-Palestinian activists gathered outside Downing Street to protest the visit of Netanyahu, who arrives today, but will not meet officially with Cameron until yesterday.
Others waved flags, including at least two from Lebanon's Shiite movement, Hezbollah.
The protests ended at around 2:30 pm (1330 GMT), according to police.
Israel's embassy in London called the latest petition a "meaningless publicity stunt".
Britain is pushing for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and "will reinforce this message to Mr Netanyahu during his visit," according to an official response to the petition.
Britain is one of a number of European countries which have been pushing for the separate labelling of products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Israel is also deeply concerned by July's nuclear deal between Iran and major powers -- including Britain.
Netanyahu will return to Israel on Friday.
Police officers separated the two groups into pens and took away at least two protesters following scuffles and chanting by both sides, according to an AFP photographer.
"At around midday a number of demonstrators made their way out of both pens and onto Whitehall, briefly blocking the road," police said in a statement.
Around 400 pro-Palestinian activists gathered outside Downing Street to protest the visit of Netanyahu, who arrives today, but will not meet officially with Cameron until yesterday.
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Others waved flags, including at least two from Lebanon's Shiite movement, Hezbollah.
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The protests ended at around 2:30 pm (1330 GMT), according to police.
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Israel's embassy in London called the latest petition a "meaningless publicity stunt".
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Britain is pushing for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and "will reinforce this message to Mr Netanyahu during his visit," according to an official response to the petition.
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Britain is one of a number of European countries which have been pushing for the separate labelling of products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Israel is also deeply concerned by July's nuclear deal between Iran and major powers -- including Britain.
Netanyahu will return to Israel on Friday.
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