Protests will be taking place across west Dorset tomorrow calling for a ceasefire after the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. 

The Dorset Palestine Solidarity Campaign have called protests in Dorchester and Bridport for the evening of Thursday, September 26, as part of the emergency national protests being held by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC).

The group has held many protests since the conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out in October 2023 and the latest protest comes after Israel launched attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has told British nationals in Lebanon to "leave immediately" as fighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah.

READ: Pro-Palestine protest outside Barclays Bank Dorchester

Poppy, a youth activist and organiser of the protests said: "On Monday Israel unleashed a devastating assault on the people of Lebanon, killing 550 civilians in just one day. It is incredibly important for us to act.

"This is an emergency. We must every pressure on our government to end all arms sales to Israel to end this genocide, and ensure no more innocent lives are lost."

READ: Dorset Palestine Solidarity Campaign hold die-in

It is a further escalation of the conflict in the region which began following the Palestinian militant group Hamas' attacks on Israel in October 2023, which subsequently saw Israel launch an invasion into Gaza.

Rob Ferguson Secretary, Dorset Palestine Solidarity Campaign said: "We are calling on everyone who opposes war, oppression and injustice to take to the streets to protest."

A protest in Dorchester will take place in Brewery Square between 5pm and 6pm, whilst a second protest will take place in Bridport's Bucky Doo Square from 6.45pm until 7.15pm.