A group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators had to be ejected from the Cabinet Office after staging a protest against Israeli military action in Gaza..

The loose-knit group, who call themselves London Palestine Action, posted photos on their Facebook page of demonstrators linking arms as they sat in the lobby of the Whitehall building at around 4.30pm yesterday.

Police officers were called to remove the small group, who were chanting anti-Israel slogans and carrying banners reading "Stop arming Israel".

Leila White, an art history student at King's College, took part with up to 25 fellow activists in the 45-minute protest, in response to the Israeli ground offensive which began in Gaza on Thursday.

The group locked themselves to railings before unfurling banners and chanting, demanding to speak with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg or a Cabinet Office official.

Ms White said: "By allowing arms exports to Israel to flourish, the UK Government is providing material and political support for Israel's violent oppression and collective punishment of Palestinians, including the current massacre in Gaza."

She added: "There has not been enough condemnation of Israel's military action. Basically, we want the UK Government to invoke an arms embargo against Israel."

The Metropolitan Police said no one was arrested before the group moved on.

The group, who have previously staged flashmob demonstrations in the capital, describe themselves as "a network of people in London taking creative action against Israeli apartheid through BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) and other effective, participatory Palestine solidarity work".