THOUSANDS across the country are set to lay down pots and pans this weekend to demand the government take urgent action over Israel’s starvation of Gaza. 

More than 40 “Stop Starving Gaza” demonstrations were scheduled to take place last night, as the Morning Star went to press, including in Birmingham, Cardiff and London.

Protests are continuing tomorrow, with gatherings planned at Oxford Street in London from 2pm, Barclays bank in Carlisle at 1pm, and opposite Waterstones in Abergavenny from 11am.

A children-led march will depart from Leeds Art Gallery at 12.30pm, while a rally is also set to take place outside Eastbourne train station at 11am.

Chris Nineham, vice-chair of  Stop the War Coalition and one of the organisers behind the protests, said: “Events this week have shown that Downing Street is panicking over Palestine — and that we must keep on pushing.

“That’s why the Palestine Coalition has called a summer of action, including pots and pans demonstrations across the country this evening, actions over the weekend and the next national demonstration in London next Saturday, 9 August.

“Cracks are clearly emerging in Keir Starmer’s government and while he, like Tony Blair, may be determined his leadership is not defined by the Middle East, our movement is equally determined that it will be.”

Several Cabinet members have sought to save face this month, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy calling Israel’s actions “inhumane” and Chancellor Rachel Reeves describing Gaza’s scenes as “deplorable.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to recognise Palestine, unless Israel “takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza.”

Britain has so far refused to impose a full arms embargo and limited sanctions to a few settler groups and officials.