Right to Riot?
By Graham Davies

I live in Kensington, a few hundred yards away from the Israeli Embassy. It's not been the most placid place over the past few days, and it's certainly not been an ideal location for coffee-drinking or muffin-eating.

Demonstrators calling for peace in Gaza have been exercising the cherished British "right to demonstrate". In fact, there is no such thing. Just a government and law-makers who normally choose NOT to exercise extensive powers to STOP demonstrations and public gatherings.

But that argument aside, what I witnessed the other day was allegedly a demonstration for peace. It was actually a demonstration of thuggery. To my knowledge, Starbucks has not been vocal in support of Israel, nor does it sell anti-Palestinian coffee, nor does it sponsor the import of arms into Gaza through tunnels dug from Egypt. And even if it did, lawlessly wrecking a branch wouldn't be a justified response.

Down in Hyde Park, a lot of words were said about the inexcusable violence done to innocents in Gaza. I hope those who earnestly and honestly expressed those opinions are just as unequivocal in their condemnation of the yobs who, perhaps encouraged by their words of peace, acted as violently as they did.

Collateral damage is absolutely unacceptable in the Gaza Strip. It's also completely unacceptable in Kensington.