CAMPAIGNERS staged a vigil yesterday to mark the first anniversary of an Israeli attack on Gaza.

About 15 members of the County Durham Palestine Solidarity Campaign braved the cold to spend 90 minutes in Durham Market Place.

They invited members of the public to sign their petition, calling on the British Government to use its influence with the Israeli Government to bring about the lifting of a year-long seige, which followed an offensive designed to stop rocket attacks.

Chairman Bill Williamson said: “One year on from that attack, which Israel called Operation Cast Lead, Gaza remains an open prison. Palestinians cannot travel, 80 per cent are unemployed and poor.

1,500 people were killed during Israel’s attack, many of whom were children, and many more were injured and remain traumatised.

“Israel has allowed into Gaza only minimal humanitarian aid and no re-construction materials.

Homeless people are still living in tents, despite the winter.

“Western governments, including the UK Government, collude with this state of affairs through their constant support of Israel. Gordon Brown and David Miliband believe that the UK has what they call a strategic partnership with Israel.

“This is a wholly counterproductive view to take, and British people reject the idea that we have a partnership with a power that occupies Palestinian land in the West Bank illegally, that perhaps committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during its attack on Gaza...

and which maintains a blockade of Gaza creating a humanitarian catastrophe for the people there.”

Mr Williamson said that about 200 people signed the petition.