A MARCH and rally to protest over the Israeli military action in Gaza is being held in Newport today.

Lead organiser of the event Ifthir Ahmed-Miah, from local youth organisation YMO Newport said: "The international community has been demanding a ceasefire for weeks but in the meantime the body count continues to grow. I would like to see the UK Government condemn, in no uncertain terms, the actions of Israel and, through both trade restrictions and the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador to Britain, to exert pressure on Israel to bring about an immediate end to the killing in Gaza."

He said the event would be a peaceful march and rally.

Jonny Jones of Stop the War Coalition in Wales said: "The protests being held across Wales on Saturday offer a vitally important opportunity to build solidarity with the beleaguered people of Gaza and force our government to end its military and commercial associations with the Israeli state."

The march will begin at 1:30pm from Commercial Road in Pill and go on to John Frost Square where John Griffiths AM will address the rally.

There will also be speakers from Plaid Cymru, Palestine Solidarity Cymru, Amnesty International, CND Cymru, Torfaen Trades Council and the Socialist Workers Party.

Other demonstrations are taking place today in Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Bangor.