PRO-PALESTINE protesters targeted a Bournemouth MP's home last night.

The large group descended on Tobias Ellwood’s home in the Strouden area on Monday, February 12. 

Footage seen by the Echo shows the crowd chanting “ceasefire” and “free Palestine”. 

Protesters were heard shouting down a megaphone outside his home, saying: “This community is not here to hold a protest every Saturday and do the odd fundraising thing. 

“We are here to hold politicians like Tobias Ellwood accountable.” 

Bournemouth Echo: Pro-Palestine protesters at Tobias Ellwood's home

Police officers were also called to the scene.

A spokeswoman for Dorset Police said: "Officers attended the scene and liaised with the organisers to ensure people could exercise their right to protest legally and safely without causing significant or ongoing serious public disorder, serious damage or serious disruption to the community.

"We respect people’s right to lawful protest. However, we have a duty to ensure those involved act within the law and ensure the local community can go about their lawful activities.

"The group left the area by around 8.50pm and no arrests were made."

Mr Ellwood, a former Middle East minister, had previously criticised Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy. 

He wrote in a column published on his website: “Netanyahu's pledge to gain ‘overall security responsibility’ of the entire Gaza Strip ‘for an indefinite period’ demonstrates how he continues to ignore U.S. President Joe Biden’s warning to not repeat America’s own tactical and strategic errors after 9/11.  

“This isn’t just a reckless use of Israel’s superior military might, it also still offers no clear strategy of what ‘success’ looks like.  

“And with no such strategy, the enemy ideology will remain, regardless of the destructive power at Israel’s disposal. 

“If Israel is intent on a land invasion to destroy Hamas, then this isn’t the way to do it.” 

Earlier this month, Britain said future funding for a UN relief agency that helps Palestinians hinges on the outcome of inquiries into allegations that staff took part in the October 7 attack on Israel. 

Bournemouth Echo:

Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is “critical” to delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza and the region, but added the UK is “appalled” by the allegations of agency staff being involved in the atrocities. 

The UK joined the US, Australia, Italy and other countries in pausing funding for UNRWA after it sacked a number of staff accused of taking part in the October attack. 

The funding pause has sparked concerns about the impact the decision will have on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the Israeli bombardment continues.