"Protest demos slam Israeli aggression"
DAILY TIMES (Lahore, Pakistan)
Monday, December 29, 2008
On the Web at:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\12\29\story_29-12-2008_pg7_23
KARACHI: Separate protest demonstrations were held in the city on Sunday to condemn the Israeli military operation in Gaza Strip that killed around 271 Palestinians.
Hundreds of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) activists staged a protest demonstration outside Jamia Mosque Binoria Town.
The protesters carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans against Israel, the US and India, and chanted slogans. JI Central Secretary General Syed Munawar Hussain, JI Karachi Amir Muhammad Hussain Mehnti, JI Karachi Secretary General Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and other JI office-bearers addressed the protesters. Addressing the participants of the protest demonstration, JI leader Munawar Hassan condemned the air strikes by the Israel and criticised Muslim rulers for not raising any strong voice against the killing of innocent Palestinians.
He maintained that Palestine is surrounded by the Muslims states but despite this, Israel is committing its atrocities.
JI Karachi Amir Muhammad Hussain Mehnti lamented that Israel has besieged Gaza and halted water supply besides stopping medicines and other treatment facilities to the people while the UN is playing a role of silent spectator. He maintained that world community, which raised voice over the Mumbai attacks, should also raise its voice against the Israeli atrocities. Meanwhile, the Palestine Liberation Foundation Pakistan (PLF) staged a protest against Israeli aggression in front of the local press club. Hundreds of protesters chanted slogans and torched flags.
ppi/staff report.
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"Gaza protests planned for weekend across UK"
31 December 2008
Yesterday, in the third consecutive day of protest within shouting distance of the Israeli embassy in Palace Green, London, numbers had diminished to around 200 and there were no arrests. The protests are planned to continue tomorrow and on New Year's Day. A rally will be held at the Egyptian embassy in London on Friday to demand that the country's border with Gaza be opened, while the capital's larger rally will assemble on the Embankment at 12.30pm on Saturday.
Sarah Colborne, chair of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: "Thousands will be demonstrating all across the country. People are very angry, some of them are making spontaneous demonstrations. Everyone is building up for the Saturday protests now."
Around 100 police officers watched yesterday's protesters, who had been cordoned off in a section of Kensington High Street. Commander Bob Broadhurst, in charge of public order policing for the Met, said: "We are very mindful of the deeply passionate response this conflict causes for some people.
"There will be further demonstrations this week. The Met is committed to and will always facilitate lawful, legitimate protest. We are working closely with the organiser of the demonstrations being held until New Year's Day to ensure they can make their point safely, whilst we minimise any disruption in that area."
He added: "I would urge anyone else planning to hold a demonstration to come and work with us. What the Met will do is support lawful protest, but ensure all steps are taken to deal with those who break the law, or attempt to disrupt legitimate demonstrations."
On Monday, seven protesters were arrested and mounted police moved in to disperse the crowds. Yesterday, as temperatures fell, the mood was quieter and attendance more sparse.
Violetta Thomson, 73, from London, said it was the first day that she had attended. She said she could not watch anymore on television without doing something. "I was brought up in fascist Spain and came here 30 years ago. I can recognise fascism when I see it and this is really what Israel is doing. The Israeli people are not fascists, I don't think they really see the carnage their government is responsible for," she said.
Beside her, Vicky Scarlett, 75, said: "Human instincts say you must do something about this, it shouldn't be going on. In the most moderate of terms it is unjust. It's an abomination for the world to stand and watch this happening.".
Protests have also been organised for Saturday in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Portsmouth and Hull.
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