DOZENS of protesters joined together in Colchester to show support for the people of Palestine following the conflict with Israel. 

On Sunday, the group congregated next to the War Memorial, in High Street as an act of solidarity with the citizens of Palestine.

The rally was organised as a call to end the conflict, which started over a week ago when Hamas gunmen entered Israel, killing more than 1,400 people.

More than 2,700 people in Gaza have since been killed in retaliatory strikes by Israel. 

The peaceful protest in Colchester saw a number of speeches given and protesters holding up homemade placards.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak this week issued guidance on the line between protesting for Palestinians and supporting Hamas, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation.

Speaking on a visit to a Jewish secondary school in north London, he said: “It’s very clear under the law, the support and glorification of Hamas is illegal and those offences are punishable with up to almost 14 years in jail.

“But it’s not just about Hamas. More broadly, actions that incite violence or stir up religious hatred and racial violence are also not acceptable and that’s why, as I said, there’s no place in our society for that type of hatred and division, and it will be met with the full force of the law where it happens.”