Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered Monday within the coronary heart of Manhattan, denouncing the Israeli authorities and demanding that the United States cease supporting its ally within the Middle East, as clashes raged between Israel-Palestinian resistance teams.
With indicators studying “Israel go to hell!” and “NYC stands with Gaza,” individuals of all ages stood in entrance of the Israeli consulate basic waving Palestinian flags.
Across the closely policed road, a pro-Israel group stood behind safety boundaries hurling insults on the different gathering.
It was the second day in a row that town had been the scene of tense counterprotests between pro-Palestinian residents and others defending Israel.
Young activists sporting Palestinian keffiyeh headscarves took turns at a megaphone to demand a “free Palestine” and “an end of the colonization and occupation of our Arab land,” including that “Zionism is racism.”
They chanted “No justice, no peace,” and “No justice on stolen land,” whereas their placards in contrast the state of affairs in Gaza to the Jewish rebellion within the Warsaw ghetto in World War II.
Leena Abukuwaik, a 45-year-old Palestinian American, advised AFP she had “a brother, two sisters and lots of cousins, my whole family,” in Gaza, of whom she had no news.
“I’m not sure if they are bombed or not, if they are alive, if they’re injured, if they are safe,” she whispered, holding again tears.
Also protesting was Ray Gordon, an 81-year-old American retiree who lives between Maryland and Florida, “That’s a thing that infuriates me: It’s my tax dollars that arms Israel,” he mentioned.
“End all U.S. aid to Israel,” he advised AFP.
Asked about Hamas’ assault on Israel on Saturday and the deaths of a whole lot of Israeli civilians, Gordon replied, “It’s a wonder that it hasn’t happened before … what goes around comes around, that’s what I would say to” the Israeli authorities.
Maryam Alaniz, a 27-year-old doctoral scholar, mentioned she doesn’t suppose that “civilian casualties are justified, but I’m also not a pacifist.”
“I also denounce the methods and tactics of Hamas. I think that the Palestinian struggle should be organized from below, by the Palestinian people, democratically,” she mentioned.
UK sees protests
Earlier Sunday, dozens of individuals held an indication within the British seaside resort metropolis of Brighton to point out assist for Palestine.
Some 100 individuals gathered within the metropolis focus on 2 p.m. native time (1 p.m. GMT).
Carrying Palestinian flags and indicators, they chanted “Free Palestine” throughout the demonstration, which was held by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
“Boycott, sanction Israel,” “Stop the massacre” and “End the siege” had been among the many messages on the indicators carried by the group in entrance of the Clock Tower.
Along with the organizers, some Palestinians additionally made transient speeches expressing their ideas and experiences.
A younger Palestinian girl, who most popular to not point out her identify, mentioned she was talking on behalf of Palestinians who don’t have that privilege.
She mentioned her grandparents needed to flee Palestine in 1948 by foot to first Jordan after which Lebanon.
“My family has not ever been allowed to speak up for generations, and every time I come to these protests, my grandmother cries and says one of us can speak up.”
She mentioned that she hopes they’ll see a free Palestine of their lifetime.
The gathering, which lasted about an hour, ended with extra chants of “Free Palestine.”
‘Time to face up’
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) following the protest, Russell Johns, 63, mentioned there’s a want for individuals to take to the streets to precise their assist for Palestinians.
Saying they’re attempting to make individuals be taught what has been taking place in Gaza and the West Bank for years, he criticized the misrepresentation by some media shops relating to Palestinians.
“What makes Palestinians ‘terrorists’ … (is) that resistance happens because of the decades-long pressure that they have suffered,” Johns famous.
Accusing Western governments of being “complicit” over their expression that “Israel has the right to defend itself,” he requested why individuals have by no means heard from these politicians about Palestinians’ rights for equality and freedom.
“Palestinians … never get the real support and solidarity that they deserve, and that’s why we are in the situation,” he mentioned.
He additionally expressed concern over potential land assaults by Israeli forces towards Gaza, saying the demise toll can be “horrendous.”
Citing a latest opinion ballot, Johns mentioned that assist for Palestine among the many British public is 50%, whereas 25% view Israel unfavorably.
It is time for the British authorities and politicians to face up for Palestinian rights “for just once,” he added.
The Palestinian group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on Saturday, saying the unprecedented assault was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and elevated settler violence.
In retaliation, the Israeli military initiated Operation Iron Swords, launching airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.
Source: www.dailysabah.com