[Onthebarricades] GAZA PROTESTS - UK (December-January 2008-9)

[global resistance roundup]

* Extreme police violence - protesters tell of fear and panic
* Skirmishes at string of protests near Israeli embassy
* Thousands join marches and rallies against the invasion
* Protesters also target Egyptian embassy
* Protests in cities across Britain
* London universities occupied in Gaza protest
* Weapons manufacturer EDO trashed over Israel links
* Raytheon plant in Derry blockaded
* Large protest in Scotland
* Roundup of local protests



http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/05/israel-palestine-protests-police

London clashes: Protesters tell of fear and panic
• Vikram Dodd
• The Guardian, Monday 5 January 2009
• Article history
Demonstrators yesterday told how they feared they were going to die 
after riot police charged hundreds of people in an underground tunnel in 
London, which led to stampedes and panic.
The clashes came after protesters from Saturday's march against Israel's 
attack on Gaza tried to cross London to continue their demonstration.
Scotland Yard was criticised for the level of violence used by its 
officers and its tactics against hundreds of people ordered into an 
underpass as they tried to walk from Trafalgar Square to Israel's 
embassy in west London.
People told of being trapped under each other and of hearing screams of 
fear as police charged the crowds three times in the confined space of 
the Piccadilly underpass on the edge of Hyde Park.
Scotland Yard said riot police charged after they were attacked and that 
their tactics were proportionate. People trapped in the tunnel said the 
police were not attacked.
Among several people injured was Asil Alrashidi, 23, a bank worker from 
Langley, Berkshire. She said she feared she and her sister would die 
after they were trapped in a crush of people as a stampede broke out 
when protesters panicked amid repeated charges by baton-wielding riot 
police.
She said she suffered bruising after being knocked to the floor. "I was 
petrified," she said. "The riot police were charging and pushing people, 
hitting them with their batons. I was trapped with people coming at us. 
They were falling on us, trampling us.
"There was screaming and shouting, I thought I was going to die. I was 
holding my sister, our hands were separating and I could hear her 
screaming my name. I think there were 20 to 30 people on top of me."
Chris Ninehams, chief steward for the march, organised by the Stop the 
War Coalition, said the level of police violence was unprecedented.
Scotland Yard said in a statement: "Officers made a 10-metre advance 
into the crowd to regain control of the protest, using recognised and 
proportionate tactics."





http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/riot-police-called-out-in-london-as-protest-ends-in-skirmishes-1224474.html

Riot police called out in London as protest ends in skirmishes
By Emily Dugan, Kaarina Miles and Richard Osley
Sunday, 4 January 2009

Jason Alden
Protesters march to Trafalgar Square to demonstrate against the recent 
attacks on Gaza
Riot police were dispatched to the Israeli embassy in London last night 
as a day of protests across Europe degenerated into ugly skirmishes.
In London Israeli flags were set ablaze and surging crowds were penned 
back by police with shields and batons. Some protesters were in tears, 
claiming they were being stopped from leaving peacefully, and organisers 
said they would complain about police heavy-handedness. Others, growing 
more aggressive as news of Israel's ground invasion spread, threw 
missiles while police tried to drive them back. Late into the evening, 
several hundred were still staring down officers outside the embassy.
The London ambulance service said it had helped one man with a head 
injury and others with minor bruises after sending a team of 25 to the 
scene.
Tens of thousands initially took to the streets, even as Israeli forces 
were firing shells from the border of Gaza. In London, where the largest 
rally was held, Trafalgar Square turned to a sea of black, white, red 
and green – Palestinian national colours – as what organisers claimed 
were up to 55,000 people showed up in the largest British demonstration 
for the Palestinian cause. Police claimed the size of the protest was 
far lower.
In the crowd was the singer Annie Lennox, the comedian Alexei Sayle, 
Tony Benn and George Galloway. Lennox told the crowd: "We are looking at 
a huge human rights tragedy in front of us. The idea of an air assault 
combined with a ground war in such a tightly packed area as Gaza is 
unimaginable. It will be a bloodbath. Hopefully now we will see 
dialogue, dialogue, dialogue."
The thrust of the protest was aimed at the British government's inaction 
over the Israeli attacks on Gaza, as the onslaught started its second 
week. One marcher, Omar Lemrini, 45, helped to carry a fake coffin 
covered in images of dead civilians and children. "This is the second 
Holocaust," he said. "It's a question of conscience now."
Some 30 organisations, including the British Muslim Initiative, the Stop 
the War Coalition and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, joined forces 
for the protest. Hemmed in by police, the marchers resorted to the 
symbolic throwing of shoes into Downing Street. Hundreds of old shoes 
were hurled over barriers and gates to represent the Palestinian lives 
lost in the bombing. The gesture echoed the protest by Iraqi journalist 
Muntadar al-Zaidi, who threw his shoes at President Bush last month in 
protest at US "war crimes".
David Carr, 45, a nurse, contorted his face in fury as he picked up his 
battered brown shoe and tossed it over the railings: "I helped search 
for the people who were injured in the London bomb blast, so I know what 
it means," he said. Two people broke through the police barrier to make 
a dash for Downing Street.
The protests were mirrored elsewhere with marches in France, Germany, 
Greece, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Holland and Turkey. In Edinburgh and 
Glasgow, around 1,000 were involved in marches which police said passed 
peacefully. In Paris, 20,000 demonstrators descended on the city centre 
chanting "Israeli murder".




http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Protests-Against-Israeli-Attacks-On-Gaza-Turn-Violent-As-Tens-Of-Thousands-Take-To-The-Streets/Article/200901115196923?f=rss

Anti-Israel Protests Turn Violent
7:21am UK, Sunday January 04, 2009
Several protesters have been arrested during violent demonstrations 
against the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

Protesters burn the Israeli flag outside the country's embassy in London
More than 12,000 people marched through London, joining thousands of 
others around the world staging public events against the attacks on the 
Palestinian territory.
Protesters in the English capital included singer Annie Lennox, Respect 
MP George Galloway and comedian Alexei Sayle, who marched along the 
Embankment in London to Trafalgar Square.
The demonstration calling for an immediate end to the Israeli attacks 
was the biggest of at least 18 organised across the country.
It saw clashes outside the Israeli Embassy between protesters and police 
wearing riot gear.
Police made several arrests, claiming protesters made repeated attempts 
to break through the barriers and throw missiles outside the embassy in 
south Kensington.
Alexei Sayle calls for stronger diplomatic action
Human rights advocate Bianca Jagger and singer Lennox called on American 
president-elect Barack Obama to speak up against the bombardment.
"A few days after Christmas I came downstairs, put the television on, 
and saw smoke pyres coming from buildings and I was shocked to the core 
because I was thinking as a mother and as a human being," Lennox said.
"How was this going to be the solution to (find) peace?"

Air strikes in Gaza
Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone and comedian Alexei Sayle also 
added their support to the campaign.
Comedian Sayle said he was speaking out because it was important for 
Jewish voices to be heard.
He said: "I want to feel proud of Israel, I want to be proud of my 
people but I am ashamed."
Israel has followed a week of aerial attacks said to have killed more 
than 400 people with an artillery bombardment and ground offensive aimed 
at halting rocket attacks by Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza.





http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5408132.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797084

December 28, 2008
Violent protests at Israeli Embassy in London
Times Online
Violent confrontations broke out at the Israeli Embassy in London today 
as up to 1,500 protesters against Israel's Gaza campaign gathered in a 
vociferous demonstration.
Campaign supporters, Palestinians and British Muslims stood on the 
pavement of High Street Kensington, west London, and chanted in unison: 
“Five, six, seven, eight - Israel is a terror state.”
Riot police were brought in to control the crowd, some of whom turned 
violent. Witnesses said some protestors were forcibly removed and others 
were seen with bloodied faces as violence erupted.
One campaigner was seen throwing a bag and what appeared to be a book 
over some gates towards the embassy and another was seen throwing red 
liquid. Officers retreated from the immediate scene as the crowds 
swelled, and some appeared to be trying to break through barriers to 
access the embassy.
The protesters waved Palestinian flags and held up placards, including 
some which read: “Holocaust in Gaza” and “no peace, no justice.”
Traffic on the busy shopping street was brought to a standstill as more 
protestors arrived and the road was blocked off near the Embassy.
Six police vans, four police cars and territorial units from the 
Metropolitan Police waited to intervene as the chanting continued.
As the standoff continued, a security guard at the nearby Royal Garden 
Hotel said police had been rapidly outnumbered and handled the situation 
“terribly”.
The member of staff, who did not want to be named, added: “There were 
only eight officers trying to contain a protest with about 500 
demonstrators.
“They are trying to break down the barriers towards the Embassy and the 
police can do nothing about it.
“It has been handled terribly and now they are chasing to catch up a 
scene which is already out of control.”
Gamal Hamed, from Hammersmith, whose 23-year-old son still lives in 
Gaza, said: “Yesterday was the bloodiest day in my homeland’s history. 
We will do what we can to make the world take notice.
“I am delighted by the number of people who have pledged their support 
today - we are all worried about where the conflict goes from here.”
It was one of numerous anti-Israel protests, with other sizeable 
gatherings reported in Paris, Madrid and Jordan.
Scotland Yard said three people were arrested at the London protest on 
suspicion of committing public order offences.




http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/2008/12/28/riot-police-called-to-demonstration-91466-22563521/

Riot police called to demonstration
Dec 28 2008
Angry confrontations broke out at the Israeli Embassy in London as 
protesters against the Gaza bombing blitz gathered in a vociferous 
demonstration.
Palestinian families and campaign supporters crammed the pavement of 
High Street Kensington and chanted in unison: "Five, six, seven, eight - 
Israel is a terror state."
Barriers penning the demonstrators were torn down and riot police were 
brought in to control the crowds.
The crowds - which eventually totalled more than 500 - waved Palestinian 
flags and held up placards, including some which read "holocaust in 
Gaza" and "no peace, no justice."
Among the protestors was Gamal Hamed, from Hammersmith, whose 
23-year-old son still lives in Gaza. The 68-year-old said: "Yesterday 
was the bloodiest day in my homeland's history. We will do what we can 
to make the world take notice.
"I am delighted by the number of people who have pledged their support - 
we are all worried about where the conflict goes from here."
Over the past day, Palestinians reported at least 20 different raids on 
their territory, causing hundreds of deaths and plumes of smoke to rise 
above Gaza city.
International pressure has been mounting on both Israel and Palestine, 
with Britain, the EU, the Vatican, the United Nations and former Prime 
Minister Tony Blair all calling for an immediate restoration of calm.
Traffic on the busy shopping street was brought to a standstill as more 
protestors arrived and the road was blocked off near the Embassy. Six 
police vans, four police cars and territorial units from the 
Metropolitan Police waited to intervene as the chanting continued.
Scotland Yard said three people had been arrested on suspicion of 
committing public order offences.





http://news.scotsman.com/world/Global-protests-end-in-riot.4841795.jp

Global protests end in riot on London streets

Published Date: 04 January 2009
By Jeremy Watson
RIOT police had to be deployed last night as a protest outside the 
Israeli embassy in London over Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip 
erupted into violence.
In a day of global demonstrations over Israel's military campaign 
against the Islamist Hamas movement, thousands of protestors gathered 
outside the embassy with some attempting to storm the Kensington compound.

As tensions mounted in the early evening, police officers came under 
fire from missiles. The barrage, including fireworks and bottles, 
continued despite a number of protesters being led away by the police, 
who armed themselves with riot shields.

Scotland Yard said that from around 6pm protestors at the front of the 
barrier line made repeated attempts to break through to the embassy and 
several arrests were made. As the situation grew more violent, more 
units of armoured riot police were mobilised and forcibly moved waves of 
protesters away from the embassy down Kensington high street.

Organisers of the demonstration said they would make an official 
complaint after claiming that riot police charged into people, injuring 
many.

Witnesses said a number of people, including children, were thrown to 
the ground during clashes in the underpass at Hyde Park at the end of a 
march.

Chris Nineham, an official of the Stop The War Coalition who has 
organised dozens of national demonstrations and rallies, said: "It was 
the most irresponsible police behaviour I have ever witnessed.

The police forced us to go down a tunnel where we were met by three or 
four ranks of riot officers who then charged at us at least three times 
using their riot sticks."

Respect MP George Galloway, who was caught up in the incident, said he 
and his daughter were thrown to the ground. "It was very frightening. 
The police trapped us in the tunnel and attacked us repeatedly."

Stephen Hodgkins, 38, from Battersea, who was among the crowd of around 
100 in the underpass, said officers wielding batons made "two or three" 
charges at the crowd, leaving several people injured. "It was just 
shocking," he said.

But the Met defended its officers, saying: "Officers made one 10-metre 
advance into the crowd to regain control of the protest, using 
recognised and proportionate tactics." The spokeswoman said the advance 
was filmed by police evidence gatherers and a number of people, 
"including Mr Galloway", were "facilitated" through police lines for 
their safety.

Earlier, more than 5,000 demonstrators, including singer Annie Lennox, 
former model Bianca Jagger and comedian Alexei Sayle, marched on 
Trafalgar Square in London.

Hundreds threw shoes at Downing Street, inspired by the Iraqi journalist 
who showed the same traditional Muslim sign of disrespect to US 
President George Bush last month.

More protested in cities across Britain, including Glasgow and 
Edinburgh, all demanding an immediate halt to Israeli air attacks on the 
Palestinian enclave and Hamas, the radical group that runs the territory.

In Glasgow, Barrie Levine, from Scottish Jews for a Just Peace, said: 
"In common with a growing number of Jews in Israel and internationally, 
we condemn the air strikes by Israel on Gaza and the likelihood of a 
land assault."

Levine was one of up to 500 people who gathered in Glasgow's Blythswood 
Square to protest. Police said around 600 protesters attended a similar 
event in Edinburgh's Princes Street. Protests also took place in 
Bristol, Liverpool, Exeter, Norwich, Hull, Tunbridge Wells, Manchester, 
Leeds, Newcastle, Swansea, York, Caernarfon, Bradford and Sheffield.

Mass demonstrations also took place in other major western capitals and 
across Muslim nations of the Middle East.

In Paris, police said 21,000 marched through the streets. Later, a small 
group of protesters burned Israeli flags, set fire to at least three 
cars and smashed windows in an area popular with shoppers.

In the Netherlands, thousands marched through Amsterdam. One banner 
declared: "Anne Frank is turning in her grave. Oh Israel!"





http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/415364.html

Very urgent appeal London Solidarity Demonstration at Dalston station!
Anarchist Solidarity Initiative | 14.12.2008 15:28 | Repression | Social 
Struggles
3:30pm update. Get down to Dalston Station now if you can! Police have 
cordoned in a hundred protesters and are refusing to let anyone leave or 
join them. They are being very heavy handed having viciously attacked 
people trying to leave the cordon injuring several of them! URGENT HELP 
IS NEEDED NOW!

Please come down to Dalston Station now as the police are being very 
heavy handed hitting out and beating anyone trying to leave the police 
cordon. Several people have been injured and need urgent medical 
attention. Police are also refusing to allow a couple of dozen 
protesters join their comrades outside the train station and anyone 
trying to join them is being arrested.
Anarchist Solidarity Initiative






http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/foreign/display.var.2478183.0.Protesters_take_to_the_streets_in_Britain_and_across_the_world.php

Protesters take to the streets in Britain and across the world

Protesters take to the streets in Britain and across the world
MARTIN WILLIAMS
December 29 2008
Demonstrators took to the streets across the world in protests against 
Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
In the UK, 10 people were arrested when a demonstration outside the 
Israeli embassy in London descended into chaos.
Kensington High Street was closed off with police vans blocking the 
street as the number of protestors swelled throughout the afternoon to 
about 2000.
Campaigners were seen being handcuffed and dragged away by officers 
after events boiled out of control.
Among the protestors were Respect MP George Galloway and former MP Tony 
Benn, who both addressed the rally.
After his speech, Mr Galloway said: "Israel has killed hundreds and 
maimed hundreds more - many of whom are women and young children - yet 
Gordon Brown is blaming the victim rather than the aggressor." More than 
500 attended a candlelit vigil in Glasgow's George Square and there was 
a demonstration at The Mount in Edinburgh which aimed to show support 
for the victims of the ongoing violence in Gaza.
Labour's Glasgow Central parliamentary candidate Anas Sarwar, one of the 
organisers of the vigil, said: "It was a massive turnout when you 
consider there was just 24 hours' notice."
Mr Sarwar, who was part of a Scottish delegation invited by Medical Aid 
for Palestinians to assess the extent of the humanitarian crisis in the 
region earlier this year, added: "What we wanted to show was that all 
faith communities - people of all faiths and no faiths, people of all 
political parties, all community organisations, all peaceful 
organisations - are coming together in Glasgow, in Scotland, to say we 
stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Gaza at this difficult 
time and we call as one united voice for a peaceful resolution where no 
innocent lives on either side are lost."
In the West Bank, one Palestinian protestor was killed in clashes with 
police. A demonstration in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul was also 
marred by bloodshed when a suicide bomber on a bicycle blew himself up 
among the crowd, killing one person and wounding 16, police said.
The largest single protest of about 8000 people took place in Egypt on 
the streets of the southern city of Assiut.
Some 4000 protestors rallied in the capital Cairo, while a demonstration 
in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria drew a similar number, a 
security official said.
In Damascus, Israeli and American flags were burned as thousands of 
people demonstrated in the city centre.
Security was tight around the US embassy, which lies a mile and a half 
from the scene of the protest in the Syrian capital.






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/416568.html

Israeli Embassy flag burning protest, London - pictures
Terence Bunch | 31.12.2008 20:05 | Palestine | Terror War
On the fifth day of the Israeli assault against the population of Gaza, 
people gather at the Israeli embassy to voice their growing anger over 
the barbarism now being meted out to the defenceless Gaza'n civilian 
population.
On the fifth day of the Israeli assault against the population of Gaza, 
people gather at the Israeli embassy to voice their growing anger over 
the barbarism now being meted out to the defenceless Gaza'n civilian 
population.

The protesters chant hostile phrases and burn the Israeli flag 
repeatedly outside the embassy.

Police take a more relaxed approach to the crowd in marked contrast to 
an earlier protest outside the embassy on Sunday 29th December.

The protest comes as international pressure is dismissed by the 
Israeli's who have now made clear their intention to bring about the 
destruction of democratic HAMAS and the political infanticide of their 
fledgling middle-Eastern democracy.

Israeli Embassy, London, 31st December 2008.
Terence Bunch
e-mail: terry.bunch at terencebunch.co.uk
Homepage: 
http://www.terencebunch.co.uk/PUBLIC/solidarity-with-palestine-protest-israeli-embassy-new-years-eve-london-31-12-2008.php 







http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/embassy-protesters-chant-for-justice-in-gaza-1219455.html

Embassy protesters chant for justice in Gaza
By Robert Bex, PA
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Israeli Embassy today to 
protest at the attacks on Gaza.
The crowd outside the embassy in Kensington, central London, carried 
banners demanding justice for Palestine and were led in chants of "no 
justice, no peace".
Majed Al-Zeer, from the Palestinian Return Centre which helped organise 
the protest, said the fact several hundred people had turned out for the 
protest showed how strong feelings were about the Israeli attacks.
He said: "It is a working day and for some people a holiday and it is 
very cold but still hundreds have turned out.
"It is a very reasonable number. We have had many pickets here with only 
tens of people.
"There are British people, people from the Arab community and people 
from the Muslim community. The protest sends a very important message 
that what is happening in Gaza is not right."
Richard Kuper, from Jews For Justice for Palestine, was returning to the 
protest for the third time.
He said: "I'm outraged by what is going on in Gaza and I think it is 
important Jewish voices speak out against bombing.
"I think it was the scale of the bombardment which is greatly 
disproportionate that has angered people."
The protest was peaceful and no arrests were reported.
Seven people were arrested on Monday for public order offences, 
including assaulting police officers, during angry clashes.
The protest comes after Israel rejected calls for a 48-hour ceasefire.
The protest will continue tomorrow before moving on to the Egyptian 
Embassy on Friday and then on to Trafalgar Square on Saturday.
More than 370 Palestinians are believed to have been killed in the air 
strikes on Gaza.






http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/mhsncweymhgb/rss2/

Hundreds protest Israeli embassy over Gaza

30/12/2008 - 16:46:39
Hundreds of people today returned to the Israeli Embassy in London to 
protest at the country’s bombardment of opponents in Gaza.

The crowd outside the Embassy in Kensington, central London, chanted 
slogans in support of Palestine from behind heavy metal barriers, facing 
a line of around 30 police officers while a police helicopter hovered 
overhead.

Yesterday’s protest outside the Embassy saw seven people arrested for 
public order offences, including assaulting police officers, during 
angry clashes.

The atmosphere this afternoon was calmer, with protestors who attended 
yesterday noting that their numbers were slightly less – adding that 
people were now focusing on the rally in Trafalgar Square on Saturday.

For Lindsey German, the national convenor for the Stop The War 
Coalition, today was the third time she had joined protestors outside 
the Embassy.

“I feel that what is happening in Gaza is complete barbarism,” she said.

“The Israeli government has obviously been planning it for a very long time.

“I think what they are imposing on the people of Gaza is collective 
punishment.”

She said of the reaction from the international community: “I imagine 
300 people (dead) in Israel or this country – it wouldn’t be a bit of 
diplomacy going on. There would be condemnation, sanctions and so on.

“That’s why we are here today.

“We want the end of the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank and we want 
the end of the blockade of Gaza.”

Kevin Ovenden, 40, was also protesting outside the Embassy for the third 
day.

He said: “The reason that I am here along with everybody else is to try 
and draw as much attention as possible in Britain to the crime that 
Israel is committing in Gaza and also the complicity of the British 
Government which has consistently sided with Israel.”

Mr Ovenden, from Tower Hamlets in east London, who is parliamentary 
assistant to George Galloway MP and has family in Iran, said he had 
noticed a “sea change” in the British public’s attitude.

“Many people who didn’t understand the issue or didn’t need to care are 
now expressing deep anger at what is happening to the people of Gaza and 
demanding that Israel stop.”

He said that among those arrested yesterday was a young man whose 
keyring in the shape of Palestine was confiscated as, he was told, it 
was “like a dagger”.

A 20-year-old local government worker also from Tower Hamlets, who did 
not wish to give his name, said: “When people like George Bush and 
Condoleezza Rice think it’s okay to keep their mouths shut at a time 
like this it’s up to us, the public, to make our voices known.

“The Palestinians don’t have a voice. The only voices that are heard are 
those coming from the corridors of power, Downing Street and the White 
House.

“It’s obvious what needs to happen – the bombardment of the Palestinians 
needs to stop.”

Today is the fourth day of Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip, which 
have killed more than 350 Palestinians and left another 1,400 wounded by 
the end of yesterday.






http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/10/israel.gaza.uk.protests/index.html

January 11, 2009 -- Updated 0507 GMT (1307 HKT)

Protesters across Europe call for end to Gaza conflict
• Story Highlights
• Three arrested after London protest becomes unruly; officer knocked out
• Police say 20,000 gathered outside Israeli Embassy in London
• Similar demonstrations take place in other European cities
• 3,000 protest outside temporary residence of U.S. President-elect Obama
(CNN) -- Thousands of demonstrators marched through cities across Europe 
on Saturday, calling for an immediate end to Israel's attacks on Gaza.

A protester swings a club at a police horse Saturday night near London's 
Israeli Embassy.

Up to 20,000 people were gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in London, 
England, at the peak of protests there, London Metropolitan Police said.
A police officer was knocked unconscious Saturday night as the protests 
turned unruly, the police said.
The London crowd dismantled barriers placed in front of the embassy and 
began pelting officers with sticks, rocks and pieces of the metal 
barriers, police said. Three people were arrested.
Organizers including the Stop the War Coalition and the Palestine 
Solidarity Campaign expected more than 100,000 people to join the London 
march to protest Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza.
Celebrities including musician Annie Lennox and Bianca Jagger, musician 
Mick Jagger's ex-wife, spoke at a rally before the procession, which 
went from Hyde Park to the Israeli Embassy in Kensington, West London. 
Watch demonstrators throw bottles, metal at police »
Lauren Booth, the sister-in-law of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, 
also spoke at the rally, The Times newspaper reported.
During her speech, Booth criticized Blair over his attempts to bring 
about a resolution to the conflict.
"Tony Blair's only comment regarding the cease-fire has been to say that 
it can only take place after the tunnels in Gaza are destroyed," The 
Times quoted her as saying.
"What he is suggesting means that after the massacre, people will have 
no access to food, kerosene and medicines that came through those 
tunnels. That is not a cease-fire; that is a slow agonizing death," she 
said, according to The Times.
Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone issued a statement backing the 
demonstration.
"Every day, we see appalling pictures of children slaughtered by Israeli 
bombs, missiles and other sophisticated weapons," he said. "Yet with 
more than 700 dead and thousands more seriously wounded, the 
international community is allowing Israel to continue its completely 
disproportionate onslaught accompanied by an Orwellian litany of lies."
Meanwhile, the British Press Association reported that similar 
demonstrations took place in other British cities, including Newcastle 
and Edinburgh.
Thousands took part in a rally through the center of Edinburgh calling 
for an end to the military campaign. About 300 shoes and red paint were 
thrown toward the U.S. consulate in the Scottish capital, the PA said.
Thousands demonstrated in other European cities, according to local 
media reports, including Innsbruck, Austria; Paris, France; Milan, 
Italy; Berlin, Germany; and Oslo, Norway. iReport: Protests in Paris
In Washington, pro-Palestinian activists rallied outside the temporary 
residence of President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday and called on the 
incoming leader to stop the violence in Gaza.
About 3,000 people carrying signs and chanting "Free Palestine" flooded 
Lafayette Park between the White House and the Hay-Adams Hotel, where 
the president-elect is living with his family.
Carrying a flag and wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh head scarf, 
Abdel-Kader Elkabil exhorted the president-elect to take action.
"Please, Mr. Obama, do something. We love you. We voted for you," he 
said. "I'm expecting you to do something. ... You're the only one who 
can do something."
Asma Mobin-Uddin drove to Washington with a group of 500 activists from 
Ohio. She said she voted for Obama because she believed he could "make a 
difference."
"President Obama, look in the eyes of your kids and look in the eyes of 
the kids in that region," she said at the rally. "Please, stop the 
violence, stop the hate, stop the occupation."
Israelis say their Gaza military operation, which started December 27, 
is targeting rocket-launching sites, Hamas infrastructure and the 
movement's leaders in an effort to stop militants from sending rockets 
into southern Israel.
Palestinian medical sources said that more than 800 Palestinians have 
been killed in the attacks, including 235 children, and about 3,300 
people have been wounded. Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have 
died since the operation began.






http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/More-antiIsraeli-protests-expected-across.4831128.jp

Hundreds protest outside Israeli Embassy over Gaza attacks

Published Date: 30 December 2008
HUNDREDS of people today returned to the Israeli Embassy to protest at 
the country's bombardment of opponents in Gaza.
The crowd outside the Embassy in Kensington, central London, chanted 
slogans in support of Palestine from behind heavy metal barriers, facing 
a line of around 30 police officers while a police helicopter hovered 
overhead.

Yesterday's protest outside the Embassy saw seven people arrested for 
public order offences, including assaulting police officers, during 
angry clashes.

The atmosphere this afternoon was calmer, with protestors who attended 
yesterday noting that their numbers were slightly less – adding that 
people were now focusing on the rally in Trafalgar Square on Saturday.

For Lindsey German, the national convenor for the Stop The War 
Coalition, today was the third time she had joined protestors outside 
the Embassy.

"I feel that what is happening in Gaza is complete barbarism," she said.

"The Israeli government has obviously been planning it for a very long time.

"I think what they are imposing on the people of Gaza is collective 
punishment."

She said of the reaction from the international community: "I imagine 
300 people (dead) in Israel or this country – it wouldn't be a bit of 
diplomacy going on. There would be condemnation, sanctions and so on.
"That's why we are here today.

"We want the end of the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank and we want 
the end of the blockade of Gaza."

Kevin Ovenden, 40, was also protesting outside the Embassy for the third 
day.

He said: "The reason that I am here along with everybody else is to try 
and draw as much attention as possible in Britain to the crime that 
Israel is committing in Gaza and also the complicity of the British 
Government which has consistently sided with Israel."

Mr Ovenden, from Tower Hamlets in east London, who is parliamentary 
assistant to George Galloway MP and has family in Iran, said he had 
noticed a "sea change" in the British public's attitude.

"Many people who didn't understand the issue or didn't need to care are 
now expressing deep anger at what is happening to the people of Gaza and 
demanding that Israel stop."

He said that among those arrested yesterday was a young man whose 
keyring in the shape of Palestine was confiscated as, he was told, it 
was "like a dagger".

A 20-year-old local government worker also from Tower Hamlets, who did 
not wish to give his name, said: "When people like George Bush and 
Condoleezza Rice think it's okay to keep their mouths shut at a time 
like this it's up to us, the public, to make our voices known.

"The Palestinians don't have a voice. The only voices that are heard are 
those coming from the corridors of power, Downing Street and the White 
House.

"It's obvious what needs to happen – the bombardment of the Palestinians 
needs to stop."

Today is the fourth day of Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip, which 
have killed more than 350 Palestinians and left another 1,400 wounded by 
the end of yesterday.






http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/158319


London Protestors Burn Israeli Flag; Seven Arrested

Reported: 08:30 AM - Dec/30/08

(IsraelNN.com) Hundred of Britons protested against Israeli 
counterterrorist operations in Gaza Monday and burned an Israeli flag. 
Police arrested seven people at the demonstration, the second straight 
day of protests near the Israeli embassy.
Mounted police tried to disperse the crowd, which broke through metal 
barriers, and an activist said the protestors would return to the area 
every day.






http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1966956&Language=en

Officers hurt as Gaza protest ends in violence in UK Politics 1/10/2009 
11:39:00 PM

LONDON, Jan 10 (KUNA) -- An anti-war demonstration ended in violence 
Saturday as protesters clashed with riot police in London, detectives said.
The protest against Israel's attacks on Gaza saw one police officer 
knocked unconscious and two others receive facial injuries, a police 
spokesman said.
An initially peaceful demonstration ended with a group of protesters 
facing mounted riot police throwing missiles and smashing windows on 
Kensington High Street near the Israeli Embassy.
Riot officers from the Metropolitan Police force charged at the group of 
mainly young men.
Sticks and barriers were hurled at the officers by the group, many of 
whom were masked.
About 300 police in full riot gear had surrounded a similar-sized group 
of protesters pushing them up the street.
Meanwhile, Protesters hurled shoes at an American consulate today as a 
part of a protest against the Israeli action in Gaza.
Thousands took part in a rally through central Edinburgh, Scotland, 
calling for an end to the military onslaught.
About 300 shoes and red paint were thrown towards the US consulate in 
the Scottish capital.
Pete Cannell, secretary of the Scottish Stop the War Coalition, said 
10,000 attended the event.
"If we'd had a few more days it would've been twice the size," he said.
"The reponse we got when we were handing out leaflets was overwhelming." 
Event organiser Nick Napier said the action was taken as a result of the 
"rage and anger" over the death toll in Gaza over the past two weeks.
Three police officers sustained minor injuries after being attacked by 
around 60 protesters at the Consulate, Police said later.
In addition to hundreds of shoes, a hail of sticks, ski boots and paint 
rained down on them as they stood guard at a barrier.
The force said it was "extremely disappointed at the violent behaviour".
A spokesman said: "This was done with the obvious intention of causing 
injury." No one has been arrested over the incident. Police appealed for 
witnesses to track down the troublemakers.
The spokesman went on: "While we recognise people's right to protest, 
this should be done in a lawful manner, and we are extremely 
disappointed at the violent behaviour shown today by the minority whose 
obvious intention was to cause trouble.
"Inquiries are now under way in order to identify those responsible for 
today's disorder and we are appealing for anyone who has any information 
that can help us identify those concerned to contact police 
immediately." The force put the number of demonstrators in Edinburgh at 
around 4,000 and praised the conduct of the majority as "commendable".
In London, three people were arrested, police said.
Police ensured a heavy presence at today's demonstration after a similar 
protest in the capital last Saturday was also marred by confrontations.
The Metropolitan Police estimated 12,000 people joined in Britain's 
biggest pro-Palestine demonstration in London's Hyde Park today before 
marching through the capital to the embassy, chanting "free, free 
Palestine". But, the BBC said around 50,000 took part in the protest.
The Journalist Lauren Booth criticised her brother-in-law Tony Blair, 
saying his suggestions for a ceasefire in Gaza would condemn 
Palestinians "to a slow agonising death".
Cherie Blair's half-sister Ms Booth said: "Tony Blair's only comment 
regarding the ceasefire has been to say that it can only take place 
after the tunnels in Gaza are destroyed.
"What he is suggesting means that after the massacre people will have no 
access to food, kerosene and medicines that came through those tunnels. 
That is not a ceasefire, that is a slow agonising death." Organisers of 
the march brought together a number of different groups including Stop 
The War Coalition, The British Muslim Initiative and the Palestine 
Solidarity Campaign.
John Rees, co-founder of the Stop the War Coalition, told reporters: 
"Unless we are able to deal with this we will not get peace in the 
Middle East.
" Many of the protesters trapped between two lines of riot police were 
peaceful and included women and older people. But their pleas to those 
causing disorder to "stop throwing things" and sit down were ignored.
There were running skirmishes between the lines of police and groups of 
young men, each time prompting a further charge from the officers and 
sending the crowd running screaming in the opposite direction. there to 
protect the embassy".
He said: "The barrier line put in place to protect the embassy was 
dismantled and a hard core of protesters threw missiles, including 
sticks stones and metal barriers, at police." Extra officers were 
deployed at 4.40 pm, but this group was then attacked by the "hard core" 
of protesters, he added.
Police estimate the crowd was between 15,000 and 20,000 at its peak, 
although it was starting to disperse tonight.
Commander Bob Broadhurst said: "A group of people on this demonstration 
have set out to deliberately confront and antagonise police officers 
trying to protect the Embassy of Israel.
"We are very disappointed by the irresponsible and criminal actions of 
those who have challenged police by ripping apart security barriers and 
throwing objects at them. A hard core of demonstrators are undermining 
the cause of the vast majority of people on this demonstration, who are 
law abiding citizens wishing to protest peacefully." Of the three 
arrests, one man was held on suspicion of assaulting a police officer 
and another man was in custody on suspicion of aggravated trespass.
The spokesman said they were awaiting details of the third arrest. There 
were also similar demonstrations in a number of other UK cities. (end)






http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/11/gaza-israel-demonstration-embassy-police

Violence erupts at embassy protest
• Ben Quinn and David Smith
• The Observer, Sunday 11 January 2009
Protesters clash with mounted riot police outside the Israeli embassy in 
London. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
Violent clashes broke out near the Israeli embassy in London yesterday 
as tens of thousands marched in protest against the military action in 
Gaza. Shop windows were smashed and police pelted with missiles by 
masked youths near the embassy during the largest demonstration in 
Britain against the Israeli offensive.
Last night, broken glass and debris littered the scene of the 
disturbances on Kensington High Street, where ranks of riot police 
waited behind locked gates near the embassy entrance.
Earlier in the evening, a number of demonstrators attacked a branch of 
Starbucks, smashing its front windows and ransacking it before 
shattering the facade of a clothes shop. Panic rippled through the crowd 
as riot police advanced repeatedly with batons drawn before being later 
backed up by dozens of mounted police.
Officers were pelted with missiles, including shards of glass from 
shattered shopfronts, as stewards from the demonstration called for calm 
and tried to separate police from protesters.
Women and children took cover in doorways as missiles were hurled at 
helmeted riot police. Youths let off firecrackers and fire extinguishers 
and pushed over crowd control barriers. Three officers were injured, 
including one who was knocked unconscious, the Metropolitan police said. 
At least 15 people were arrested as the remaining demonstrators were 
corralled by riot police and held in the area for a number of hours 
after darkness fell.
The trouble came after tens of thousands of protesters from groups 
including the Stop the War Coalition marched from Speakers' Corner in 
Hyde Park to another demonstration at Kensington Gardens, near the 
embassy. Earlier, protesters had also tried to force entry to the north 
gate of Kensington Gardens and six climbed up an adjoining wall, 
smashing two lamps and setting an American flag on fire.
Protester Ahmed Mohammad, 23, said that he saw women and children hurt 
in police charges: "It was a peaceful protest until the riot police 
came. I've seen a mother and little girl pushed to the ground."
The Stop the War Coalition, which organised the demonstration, claimed 
that "at least" 100,000 people had braved the cold, making it "the 
biggest demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinian people in the 
history of this country". The Metropolitan police estimated the number 
of marchers at 20,000.
In one of several speeches delivered in Kensington Gardens, George 
Galloway, leftwing MP for the Respect party, called on protesters to go 
to shopping centres and "shut down Israel Shops" – a reference to mobile 
retailers who operate in malls, selling Israeli products.
At the start of the march, Speakers' Corner was turned into a sea of 
Palestinian flags and banners condemning Israel. The crowd, which ranged 
from young British Muslims to leftwing activists to students and 
pensioners, listened to speakers including human rights advocate Bianca 
Jagger, singer Annie Lennox and the Rev Garth Hewitt, canon at St 
George's Cathedral in Jerusalem.
• This article was amended on Tuesday 13 January 2009. We reported that 
George Galloway MP had called for a boycott of 'Israel's shops'. This 
was incorrect. He called for a boycott of Israel Shops, mobile retailers 
who operate in shopping malls selling Israeli goods. This has been 
corrected.





http://cbs5.com/national/London.violent.protest.2.904850.html

Jan 10, 2009 1:00 pm US/Pacific
Anti-Israel Protest In London Turns Violent
Police Officer Knocked Unconscious At Pro-Gaza Rally
This article was compiled from various news reports
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Click to enlarge
Protesters burn the Israeli Flag as they take part in a Gaza Protest 
march on Jan. 10, 2009, in London, England.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Israel Targets Hamas With Bombs In Gaza

As Israel promised Saturday to step up their operations in Gaza against 
Hamas, an estimated 12,000 pro-Palestinian protesters in London clashed 
with riot police in the streets. At least one officer was knocked 
unconscious and two others were injured, according to British media reports.

Reports say the rally had started out peacefully, but as things came to 
a close near the Israeli Embassy in the English capital, things started 
getting out of control. A small group of protesters reportedly threw 
missiles at police, smashing store windows.

About 300 police in riot gear descended on the group, composed mainly of 
masked young men. When police cornered another small group, protesters 
reportedly threw sticks, stones and shoes at the officers. The crowds 
were eventually brought under control, according to the Times Online.

Media reports indicate at least three people were arrested.

The protesters had first gathered in London's Hyde Park in support of 
the Palestinian cause, carrying placards marked "Gaza: Stop the 
massacre" and chanting "free, free Palestine."

In attendance was former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's 
half-sister, who condemned him for what she perceived as his 
anti-Palestinian stance on the conflict, which has claimed at least 800 
lives in Gaza. Singer Annie Lenox also participated in the rally.

Similar protests took place across the globe, with crowds in Lebanon, 
Bosnia, Germany, Greece and Scotland gathering to voice support for 
Palestinians in Gaza.






http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/11/stories/2009011154661100.htm

International

Jews lead protest
Hasan Suroor
LONDON: Many British Jews were in the forefront of a huge protest here 
on Saturday to demand an end to the Israeli invasion. Rock musician 
Brian Eno said their presence disproved the propaganda that all those 
who opposed Israeli actions were “anti-Semitic”.
People across the racial and religious divide were concerned about the 
crisis in Gaza, he said.











http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/ten-arrested-as-london-protest-outside-israeli-embassy-turns-violent-14121939.html?r=RSS

Ten arrested as London protest outside Israeli embassy turns violent
Monday, 29 December 2008

Ten protesters were arrested during angry confrontations with police 
outside the Israeli Embassy in London, Scotland Yard said last night.
Campaigners were seen being handcuffed and dragged away by officers 
after events boiled out of control when thousands gathered in Kensington 
to protest against the bombing blitz on Gaza.
High Street Kensington was closed off with police vans blocking the 
street as the number of demonstrators swelled throughout the afternoon 
to about 2,000. Among the protesters were Respect MP George Galloway and 
former MP Tony Benn, who both addressed the rally.
Mr Galloway said later: “Israel has killed hundreds and maimed hundreds 
more — many of whom are women and young children — yet Gordon Brown is 
blaming the victim rather than the aggressor.
“We should treat Israel as we treated South Africa during apartheid. 
They should be shunned.”
Violence flared as police attempted to physically remove people so they 
could reopen the road.
Protesters threw placards and screamed abuse as officers scrummaged to 
push campaigners back. Some demonstrators were seen attempting to climb 
the gate towards the Embassy.



http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5408132.ece

December 28, 2008
Violent protests at Israeli Embassy in London
Times Online
Violent confrontations broke out at the Israeli Embassy in London today 
as up to 1,500 protesters against Israel's Gaza campaign gathered in a 
vociferous demonstration.
Campaign supporters, Palestinians and British Muslims stood on the 
pavement of High Street Kensington, west London, and chanted in unison: 
“Five, six, seven, eight - Israel is a terror state.”
Riot police were brought in to control the crowd, some of whom turned 
violent. Witnesses said some protestors were forcibly removed and others 
were seen with bloodied faces as violence erupted.
One campaigner was seen throwing a bag and what appeared to be a book 
over some gates towards the embassy and another was seen throwing red 
liquid. Officers retreated from the immediate scene as the crowds 
swelled, and some appeared to be trying to break through barriers to 
access the embassy.
Related Links
• Israeli blitz kills 290 as ground troops gather
• Britain hardens position on Israel
Multimedia
• Gaza violence
• BLOG: attacks damage Israel
The protesters waved Palestinian flags and held up placards, including 
some which read: “Holocaust in Gaza” and “no peace, no justice.”
Traffic on the busy shopping street was brought to a standstill as more 
protestors arrived and the road was blocked off near the Embassy.
Six police vans, four police cars and territorial units from the 
Metropolitan Police waited to intervene as the chanting continued.
As the standoff continued, a security guard at the nearby Royal Garden 
Hotel said police had been rapidly outnumbered and handled the situation 
“terribly”.
The member of staff, who did not want to be named, added: “There were 
only eight officers trying to contain a protest with about 500 
demonstrators.
“They are trying to break down the barriers towards the Embassy and the 
police can do nothing about it.
“It has been handled terribly and now they are chasing to catch up a 
scene which is already out of control.”
Gamal Hamed, from Hammersmith, whose 23-year-old son still lives in 
Gaza, said: “Yesterday was the bloodiest day in my homeland’s history. 
We will do what we can to make the world take notice.
“I am delighted by the number of people who have pledged their support 
today - we are all worried about where the conflict goes from here.”
It was one of numerous anti-Israel protests, with other sizeable 
gatherings reported in Paris, Madrid and Jordan.
Scotland Yard said three people were arrested at the London protest on 
suspicion of committing public order offences.




http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1120942/Gaza-protesters-unleash-fury-Starbucks-coffee-shops-late-night-rampage.html

Gaza protesters unleash their fury against Starbucks coffee shops in 
late night rampage
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:17 AM on 18th January 2009
• Comments (0)
• Add to My Stories
Starbucks coffee shops in London were targeted last night by Gaza rioters.
Scotland Yard is investigating damage to two shops after pro- and 
anti-protesters clashed in Central London
Windows were smashed and the branches, in Shaftesbury Avenue and 
Piccadilly, were looted.
Enlarge
'Inexcusable violence': The rioters smashed two Starbucks coffee shops 
after clashing over Gaza
A police spokesman said the trouble was caused by a 'small minority' of 
protesters, with officers containing around 200 people in Piccadilly who 
were believed to be making their way to the Israeli Embassy in 
Kensington High Street.
About 40 people were contained in Hyde Park to prevent a further breach 
of the peace, he added.
A passer-by said the trouble flared up when pro-and anti-Israeli 
demonstrators clashed in Piccadilly.
The man, who did not wish to be named, said groups of protesters had 
been split up by the police in an attempt to divert them as they tried 
to march to the Embassy.
He said: 'Both sides were getting rowdy and somebody smashed the windows 
of a Starbucks down past The Ritz.'

Smashed: Stores were looted during the late-night violence
Many of the men wore scarves covering their faces and a police car had 
its rear window smashed.
By 7pm only a small group of protesters remained outside Green Park, 
where they were surrounded by police but no arrests were made, police said.
Commander Bob Broadhurst, in charge of public order policing for the 
Met, said: 'Once again what we have witnessed in London today is a group 
of thugs, who are not interested in lawful protest, run through the 
streets smashing shops without care for the alarm they caused the public.
'Thousands of people expressed their views in an earlier, lawful, rally 
in Trafalgar Square ... What followed was totally unacceptable criminal 
behaviour by a small minority who do not appear to care about any cause.
'Their behaviour was inexcusable as they took part in wanton criminality.'

A police officer stands guard outside the Starbucks store after its 
windows were smashed by protesters, following a rally in Trafalgar 
Square against Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip
The violence followed demonstrations by thousands of protesters, who 
waved banners demanding an end to the attacks on Gaza and chanted 'Free 
Palestine'.
The Met said 3,500 gathered in Trafalgar Square in central London, while 
organisers of a rally in Birmingham said more than 5,000 people turned up.
An Israeli flag was set alight at the rally outside Birmingham's Council 
House in Victoria Square.
In London, former Labour cabinet minister Tony Benn was among the 
speakers addressing the crowds.
He said the Royal Navy should be used to break the blockade of Gaza and 
warships should accompany ships carrying food and medicine to the territory.
He said: 'Never underestimate the impact these demonstrations have 
because they are reported all over the world.'
In London 200 protesters, including many children carrying dolls to 
symbolise the children killed in the conflict, walked from Trafalgar 
Square down Whitehall to Downing Street.
Last Saturday a protest in Kensington also ended in violence, with a 
group of protesters facing mounted riot police throwing missiles and 
smashing windows on Kensington High Street near the Israeli Embassy.


http://www.pressassociation.com/component/pafeeds/2009/01/09/hundreds_join_gaza_protest_rally?camefrom=regional

Hundreds join Gaza protest rally
Hundreds of people gathered at a rally in central London to protest 
against the Gaza conflict.
Speakers took it in turn to condemn the Israeli and British Governments 
on Thursday night.
Former Labour Cabinet Minister Tony Benn said the Israeli Ambassador to 
the UK should be expelled.
He said: "We should be making a demand on the British Government because 
speaking for myself, and I am sure for you, I think the response of 
British Government has been an absolute disgrace.
"That is a demand that can perhaps come out of this meeting."
Among the 11 speakers who addressed the rally at the Friends Meeting 
House were Respect MP George Galloway and the President of the 
University and College Union (UCU) Sasha Callaghan.
Ms Callaghan called on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to speak out against 
the Israeli attacks.
She said: "We ask him to stand up and be brave and walk out of the 
shadow of US foreign policy and condemn what is happening in Gaza."
Mr Galloway criticised media coverage of the conflict and the language 
used by some journalists.
He said: "Israel is not targeting Hamas militants in Gaza. How can a 
warship firing its lead and fire onto a beach and beyond be said to be 
targeting anyone."



http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-World&id=828739f4-7a33-4217-a3b9-6bc8ae15a4ef&Headline=Gaza+protesters+throw+shoes+at+Downing+Street

Gaza protesters throw shoes at Downing StreetAds By Google

Vijay Dutt, Hindustan Times
Email Author
London, January 05, 2009
First Published: 23:56 IST(5/1/2009)
Last Updated: 00:01 IST(6/1/2009)

Throwing shoes at leaders one intensely hates or disagrees with seems to 
be in vogue since an Iraqi TV journalist, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, tossed a 
pair of brogues at US President George W. Bush in Baghdad.
In a copycat expression of protest, over 1000 pairs were hurled at the 
wrought-iron gates of 10, Downing Street, in a gesture of scorn and 
anger against the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip.
It is not known whether Prime Minister Gordon Brown was in residence at 
the time.
In any case, the prime minister’s door is at least 200 yards from the gate.
“One fails to understand why Brown was targeted,” said a passerby. “He 
has been asking for a ceasefire, in defiance of Washington’s policy.”
Demonstrations here have been staged in London almost every day since 
the Israeli attacks began.
Over 5000 protesters, comprising mainly British Muslims, gathered near 
the Israeli Embassy in west London and tried to break the police cordon.
Three were arrested. They burnt Israeli flags and hurled missiles 
including fireworks at police.



http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/uk/violence+erupts+at+israel+protests/2905757

Violence erupts at Israel protests
Print this page
Last Modified: 17 Jan 2009
Source: ITN
Violence has erupted at anti-Israeli protests in London.
Young men - many wearing scarves covering their faces - clashed with 
police on Saturday, with one group seen kicking in the front window of a 
Starbucks coffee shop. A police car also had its rear window smashed.
The Metropolitan Police force said it contained a group of between 120 
and 200 people in Piccadilly at about 5.20pm.
A spokesman said: "The decision to contain this group was based on the 
need to prevent a further breach of the peace."
The spokesman also said it was investigating reports of damaged, looted 
shops.
He said: "There is now believed to be two branches of Starbucks, one in 
Shaftesbury Avenue, junction with Rupert Street and one in Piccadilly. 
Windows have been smashed and shops looted."



http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Another-Day-Of-Protest-Against-Gaza-Assault-Peaceful-Rally-Outside-Israeli-Embassy-In-London/Article/200901115197334?f=rss

Subdued Gaza Protest At Embassy
2:54am UK, Monday January 05, 2009
Protests against the attacks in Gaza have continued in London with 
several hundred people again converging on the Israeli Embassy.

The rally outside the Israeli Embassy was largely peaceful
About 60 police officers monitored the group of demonstrators, who 
demanded Israel stop what they describe as a "Holocaust in Gaza".
Sky News reporter Simon Newton said following the violent scenes of 
Saturday, Sunday's rally was largely peaceful.
"There was a demonstration yesterday in Trafalgar Square. There were 
some violent scenes and 10 arrests last night, but so far today nothing 
akin to that," Newton said.
He added the protest will continue for the next couple of days in light 
of developing events in the Gaza Strip.
On Saturday, more than 12,000 people marched through London, joining 
thousands of others around the world in public events against the 
attacks on the Palestinian territory.
Among the protesters were singer Annie Lennox, Respect MP George 
Galloway and comedian Alexei Sayle, who marched along the Embankment in 
London to Trafalgar Square.
Police made several arrests, claiming protesters made repeated attempts 
to break through the barriers and throw missiles outside the embassy in 
south Kensington.



http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/264473

At Least 10,000+ Protest In London Against Israeli Airstrikes
By Can Tran.
Published Jan 3, 2009 by ■ Can Tran
Share:

By tgraham
London: Protest against the Israeli air strikes on Gaza.

Again, protesters are taking to the streets of London to condemn the 
Israel bombings on the Gaza Strip. This one is much bigger than the last 
one.
On Saturday, December 27, 2008, Israel had begun a campaign of 
airstrikes onto the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. A few days before, it was 
Hamas that announced an end to the six-month ceasefire agreement 
brokered by Egypt. However, the ceasefire was shaky at the start. As 
Israel carried out airstrikes, Hamas continued its rocket attacks onto 
Israeli soil.

Soon, the Israeli airstrikes would bring international condemnation. 
Many had taken to the streets of London, Britain to protest the Israeli 
airstrikes. They had protested in front of the Israeli embassy.

So far, it has spelled out a major international problem for US 
President-Elect Barack Obama once he takes the office of US President on 
January 20. Obama will need to bring his S+ game. Perhaps the S+ game 
may not be good enough and will have to up it to S++ or S+++.

The protest that took place today in London was city-wide. It was not 
limited to the Israeli embassy. So far, some people were arrested. 
Luckily, it was considered a peaceful protest. The total of people that 
showed support for Palestine was around in the five-figures.

According to police, the numbers can go up to 12,000 people. According 
to the Stop the War Coalition, the number went up to 50,000. Most of the 
protesters held out the flags for Palestine.

Singer Annie Lennox said that both Palestinians and the Israelis were 
completely in the wrong. She adds that there is only a small window of 
opportunity to have talks for a ceasefire.

She said: “For every one person killed in Gaza, they are creating 100 
suicide bombers. It’s not just about Gaza, it’s about all of us.”

Alexei Sayle, an actor and comedian who is Jewish, said that he is 
disappointed in Israel.

So far, other protests took place across Great Britain. One can say that 
while the British government has not condemned the Israeli airstrikes, 
the British people did not hesitate to condemn them at all.


http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/gaza-hundreds-protest-outside-israeli-embassy-in-london-14125813.html?r=RSS

Gaza: Hundreds protest outside Israeli embassy in London
Thursday, 1 January 2009

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Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in London 
yesterday to protest at the attacks on Gaza.
The crowd outside the embassy in Kensington, central London, carried 
banners demanding justice for Palestine and were led in chants of "no 
justice, no peace".
Majed Al-Zeer, from the Palestinian Return Centre which helped organise 
the protest, said the fact several hundred people had turned out for the 
protest showed how strong feelings were about the Israeli attacks.
He said: "It is a working day and for some people a holiday and it is 
very cold but still hundreds have turned out.
"It is a very reasonable number. We have had many pickets here with only 
tens of people.
"There are British people, people from the Arab community and people 
from the Muslim community. The protest sends a very important message 
that what is happening in Gaza is not right."
Richard Kuper, from Jews For Justice for Palestine, was returning to the 
protest for the third time.
He said: "I'm outraged by what is going on in Gaza and I think it is 
important Jewish voices speak out.”



http://www.worldpress.org/feed.cfm?http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5494750.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093

January 12, 2009
Thousands gather in Trafalgar Square to protest over Gaza

(Andrew Parsons/Reuters)
Pro-Israeli protestors shout at pro-Palestinian protestors during the rally
Image :1 of 2
Will Pavia
Demonstrating their solidarity with the state of Israel, thousands of 
people congregated in Trafalgar Square yesterday to call for peace as 
fighting continues in Gaza.
Organisers estimated that 15,000 had come to protest under the banner 
'Peace in Israel, Peace in Gaza’ and to hear speeches from the Chief 
Rabbi Jonathan Sachs, the Israeli Ambassador and a number of British 
MPs. A counter-protest organised by the Islamist Human Rights Commission 
assembled on the western edge of the square in the shadow of the 
Canadian Embassy, and organisers said around 1,000 people had attended.
Both sides said the protest had been peaceful, though the Metropolitan 
Police made two arrests and pro-Israel supporters said one man had been 
pushed into an icy fountain after he tried to infiltrate and disrupt 
their demonstration. Jonathan West, 41, a solicitor from Ilford, Essex, 
said: “He tried to disrupt the Chief Rabbi’s speech. People pushed him 
into the fountain - he did go through the ice and he must be very cold. 
“ However, other witnesses said that the man jumped into the fountain.
Mr West said he had come to call for "peace and reconciliation".
Related Links
• War intensifies in Gaza after diplomacy falls on deaf ears
• Hamas rocket chief is killed
• Protests intensify as Israel remains in Gaza
“It was all about harmony, unlike the protests from the pro-Hamas 
supporters, which were full of hatred and anti-Semitism and death and 
destruction. I think it was important that a different voice was heard.”
Mr West, whose sister lives in Israel said: “Over the last six years 
Israel has taken a real hammering from Hamas rockets.”
Across to the west of the square behind barricades, protestors chanted: 
"Judaism yes, Zionism no, the state of Israel must go."
Raza Kazim, a spokesman for the Islamic Human Rights commission said: 
“The Zionists had come out to support the massacre that was going on in 
Gaza. We thought this was an inappropriate thing to do with the images 
and pictures that are coming out now. We are showing solidarity with the 
people of Palestine and showing that we haven’t forgotten them. “
He said among the protestors were orthodox Jews “standing shoulder to 
shoulder with Muslims".
Abraham Greenburg, 30, originally from Haifa but living in London for 
five years, burnt his passport as part of the protest. He said: “What 
the Zionists are doing is against God and against the Palestinian 
people. As an Israeli citizen I feel ashamed of what is happening.”
Rabbi Elhanan Beck, of Stamford Hill in North London, said: “Jews have 
lived in peace in many Muslim countries - the most dangerous place for 
Jewish people today is the state of Israel. We have come here today to 
protest against Israel and the Zionist people.”








http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=United+Kingdom+%26+Europe&month=December2008&file=World_News20081229117.xml

Three arrested after Israeli Embassy protest
Web posted at: 12/29/2008 1:1:7
Source ::: AFP
LONDON: British police arrested three people after a demonstration 
outside the Israeli Embassy in London over the bombardment of the Gaza 
Strip turned violent yesterday.
Traffic in the up-scale central London district of Kensington where the 
embassy is located was brought to a halt by hundreds of protesters — 
organisers estimated 3,000, while police put the figure at 700.
Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and placards, shouting in unison: 
“Israel is a terror state!”
At one point, barriers containing the demonstrators were torn down and 
riot police were deployed to restore order — with several protesters 
forcibly removed.
As teams of police officers attempted to push protesters away from the 
embassy, some demonstrators attempted to retaliate by pushing back and 
throwing placards at police.
“(Saturday) was the bloodiest day in my homeland’s history,” said 
68-year-old Gamal Hamed, whose 23-year-old son lives in Gaza.
“We will do what we can to make the world take notice... we are all 
worried about where the conflict goes from here.”




http://jta.org/news/article/2008/12/30/1001878/protesters-police-clash-at-london-embassy

Protesters, police clash at London embassy
December 30, 2008
LONDON (JTA) -- Protesters clashed with police during a demonstration 
near the Israeli Embassy in London.
Seven activists were arrested at Monday's demonstration as they tried to 
break down barriers placed by police to keep them away from the embassy 
compound.
About 400 people took part in the demonstration, much smaller than a 
violent demonstration held on Sunday. However, police were more prepared 
as about 140 officers, some of them on horses, prevented demonstrators 
from getting close to the embassy. Demonstrators also blocked a main 
London road during the demonstration.
On Sunday police arrested 10 demonstrators. One was later released and 
the other nine are scheduled to appear in court next month on charges 
relating to disturbing public order and attacking a police officer. 
Monday's arrests were on similar grounds.
The demonstrators promised to return every day until hostilities end, 
and on Friday are scheduled to demonstrate in front of the Egyptian embassy.
The Israeli ambassador to London, Ron Prosor, said that none of these 
demonstrations will stop him and the rest of the embassy staff from 
working tirelessly to explain Israel's position, making clear to the 
media that "Hamas is a tragedy to all those who want peace in the Middle 
East."





http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1450529.php/Six_held_in_anti-Israeli_protests_in_London__Roundup__

Six held in anti-Israeli protests in London (Roundup)
Middle East News
Dec 28, 2008, 16:46 GMT
London - Around 2,000 people staged a noisy protest outside the Israeli 
embassy in London on Sunday in response to Israeli airstrikes that left 
hundreds dead in the Gaza Strip.
Police were forced to call in reinforcements after protesters tore down 
barriers holding them back and hurled projectiles in the direction of 
the diplomatic mission.
Six people were arrested on charges that included disturbing public 
order after police forcibly removed a number of protesters from the 
gathering in the west of London.
Traffic in the area ground to a halt as the protest swelled from an 
initial group of 500 Palestinians and other people opposed to the 
Israeli military action in Gaza.
'Israel is a terrorist state,' chanted demonstrators as Palestinian 
flags were waved. Other protesters held up posters reading 'Holocaust in 
Gaza.'
British Foreign Secretary David Milliband called for an 'immediate halt 
to all violence' in Gaza. He said a cease-fire was urgently needed to 
halt the 'massive loss of life' from the Israeli bombings.
Milliband said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown had contacted his 
Israeli counterpart Ehud Olmert and made it clear Israel must stick by 
its humanitarian obligations.




http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2448229,00.html

1000s in UK protest Gaza strikes
03/01/2009 17:00 - (SA)
London - Demonstrators took to the streets across Britain on Saturday to 
protest against Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.
The biggest rally was in London, where organisers were expecting 
thousands of protestors including singer Annie Lennox and former London 
mayor Ken Livingstone to march through the British capital.
Demonstrators on the event organised by the Stop the War Coalition were 
to leave old shoes for Prime Minister Gordon Brown at his Downing Street 
residence, in the spirit of an Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at 
US President George W Bush.
Protests were also due to be held in other cities, including Manchester 
in northwest England and in Glasgow.
The demonstrations cap a week of demonstrations in London over the 
Israeli military clampdown, including a rally outside Egypt's embassy in 
London on Friday, urging Cairo to open its border with Gaza to allow 
refugees through.
The Israeli offensive has killed at least 436 people, including 75 
children, and wounded almost 2 300 inside the territory, according to 
Gaza medics.
- AFP






http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7809216.stm

Saturday, 3 January 2009
UK protests over Gaza air strikes
Protesters march through central London
A series of demonstrations is taking place across the UK to try and stop 
the Israeli air strikes on Gaza.
The protests are being held at 18 locations including Portsmouth, 
Manchester, Hull, London and Glasgow.
They come after several days of smaller demonstrations around the 
country, including outside the Israeli Embassy in Kensington, west London.
Israel's government has said it is defending its citizens from 
Palestinian rocket attacks.
'No defence'
The government launched the offensive after Palestinian rockets were 
fired into Israel's southern regions, breaking a six-month truce.
But Lyndsey German, of the Stop the War Coalition, said Israel's actions 
were not "a defence measure".
She said there would be "tens of thousands" of people in London alone 
and this "is just the start of the campaign".
"If there is an invasion of Gaza, as looks likely, by the Israeli army, 
if the blockade continues with people suffering from shortages of food 
and medicine, then I think this will grow.
"This is Israel being aggressive, this is Israel attacking one and a 
half million people who already live in great poverty, in great difficulty."

For every one person killed in Gaza, they are creating 100 suicide 
bombers. It's not just about Gaza, it's about all of us

Annie Lennox

Cities protest over Gaza attacks

More than 30 organisations, including the British Muslim Initiative and 
the Stop the War Coalition, have worked together to organise the series 
of protests.
The BBC's Barnie Choudhury estimated there were 7,000 to 10,000 people 
marching along the Embankment in central London towards Trafalgar 
Square. Some chanted "Free, free Palestine" and "Israel terrorists".
On Whitehall, hundreds of shoes were thrown at the gates of Downing 
Street, echoing the protest of an Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes 
at US President George W Bush. A firework was also reportedly thrown at 
police.
Elsewhere, an estimated 2,000 people marched through Manchester and in 
Portsmouth, nearly 500 people took to the streets. Police said there 
were about 500 demonstrators in Glasgow and 600 in Edinburgh.
Former model Bianca Jagger and singer Annie Lennox have supported the 
action, and have also called on American president-elect Barack Obama to 
speak up against the bombardment.
Ms Lennox told the BBC that both sides were "wrong" and a total 
ceasefire was the only sensible solution.
She said the intervention of President George W Bush, who has described 
Hamas's rocket attacks as an "act of terror", was not helping the situation.
She said: "The problem is, from my perspective, they are pouring petrol 
onto the fire.
"They have to sit down. This is a small window of opportunity just 
before things kick off.
"For every one person killed in Gaza, they are creating 100 suicide 
bombers. It's not just about Gaza, it's about all of us.
Actor Paul Kaye, whose mother-in-law was killed in a Hamas rocket 
attack, told the BBC he had experienced the situation from an Israeli 
point of view.
"It's terrifying," he said. "My wife was trapped in a supermarket in a 
rocket attack. I was with my sons in Ashkelon station, holding them, 
waiting for a rocket to land and shutting my eyes thinking 'is this it?'
"So I think it's important to remember that mothers fleeing rocket 
attacks holding their children have the same fear on both sides of the 
border."
Ceasefire calls
The UN has reported that some 2,000 Palestinians have been wounded since 
the airstrikes began last Saturday.

Thousands marched past Downing Street in protest at the violence
More than 400 people have been killed including 60 civilians - 34 of 
them children.
Four Israelis - three civilians and one soldier - have been killed by 
rockets fired into Israel from Gaza, which have hit towns up to 25 miles 
(40km) from the narrow coastal strip.
Both sides have so far resisted international calls for a ceasefire.
'Self-defeating'
Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell said the British government was 
"forcefully and strongly arguing" for an immediate end to the violence.
"Israel has a right to respond proportionately, but we've been very, 
very clear that there has been a massive loss of innocent life... and 
that is unacceptable."
Mr Rammell said Hamas rocket attacks on Israel were also "unacceptable", 
but stressed that "a reinvigorated political process" was the only route 
to a long-term solution.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg branded Israel's strategy of bombing 
Gaza "self-defeating".
"One of the great victims of the Israeli action is... moderate public 
opinion in the Arab world, upon whom Israeli long-term security 
interests depend," he said.
He said the reaction of the EU had been "weak" and said member states 
should have threatened to sever trade links with Israel if the 
bombardment continued.
Chairwoman of the Jewish Labour Movement, MP Louise Ellman, defended 
Israel's actions.
She told the BBC: "The scale of human suffering of the people in Gaza is 
deeply distressing but the responsibility lies with Hamas."
She described the militant group as an "organisation that does not 
accept the existence of Israel" and one that "refuses to be involved in 
negotiations" that would result in a two-state solution in the region.





http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_3144174.html?menu=

Rallies to protest Gaza bombing
Tens of thousands of protesters are due to voice their anger at the Gaza 
bombing blitz in a series of rallies across the UK.
Up to 20,000 people - including the singer Annie Lennox and Respect MP 
George Galloway - are expected to march along the Embankment in London 
before walking to Trafalgar Square to call for an immediate end to the 
Israeli attacks.
The demonstration is the biggest of at least 18 organised across the 
country.
Former model Bianca Jagger and singer Lennox have backed the protests, 
calling on American President-elect Barack Obama to speak up against the 
bombardment.
Other rallies will take place at Blytheswood Square, Glasgow; Bedford 
Square, Exeter; Princes Street, Edinburgh; Bristol city centre; Bold 
Street, Liverpool; Norwich Forum; Portsmouth's Guildhall Square; Queen 
Victoria Square, Hull; Tunbridge Wells town centre; Leeds Art Gallery; 
All Saints Park, Manchester; Grey's Monument, Newcastle; Castle Square, 
Swansea; St Sampson's Square, York; Morrisons, Caernarfon; Bradford city 
centre; and Sheffield town hall.
Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone and comedian Alexei Sayle also 
added their support to the campaign to end the violence.
Speaking at a press conference in central London, Ms Jagger said: "I 
would like to make an appeal to President-elect Obama to speak up.
"People throughout the world were hopeful when he was elected and we 
must appeal to him to ask for the immediate cessation of the bombardment 
of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip."
Lennox spoke of her shock at watching scenes of the bombing on 
television. She said: "A few days after Christmas I came downstairs, put 
the television on, and saw smoke pyres coming from buildings and I was 
shocked to the core because I was thinking as a mother and as a human 
being."
Comedian Sayle said he was speaking out because it was important for 
Jewish voices to be heard. He said: "I want to feel proud of Israel, I 
want to be proud of my people but I am ashamed."





http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/international-protests-grow-as-bombardment-continues-1222841.html

International protests grow as bombardment continues
By Robert Dex, PA
Saturday, 3 January 2009

AP
Opposition to the military action has brought activists on to the 
streets in cities around the world including Berlin
• More pictures
More than 100 protesters gathered outside the Egyptian embassy in London 
yesterday demanding the country opens its border with Gaza.
Betty Hunter, general secretary of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, 
said: "Egypt has to say this is our border and we can open it. It would 
allow humanitarian aid in and it would also allow the sick and the 
injured to come out and they could go to hospital.
"Egypt has to stop colluding with Israel and do this now."
George Galloway, the Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, joined the 
protesters and said: "We hold Egypt jointly responsible for this great 
crime. Israel's Foreign Secretary was with Hosni Mubarak when the bombs 
began to fall and it's inconceivable she did not co-ordinate it with 
him," he claimed.
"The Mubarak dictatorship has brought shame on Egypt," Mr Galloway declared.
The demonstration follows five days of protest outside the Israeli 
embassy in Kensington, and comes a day before marchers gather in central 
London to protest against Israel's bombardment of Gaza.
The former model Bianca Jagger, singer Annie Lennox and former London 
mayor Ken Livingstone are expected to lead the action in Trafalgar 
Square against Israel's bombardment of Gaza.
More than 300 people turned out for a vigil for Gaza in Birmingham's 
shopping area last night.





http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/416813.html

Gaza Protest at Egyptian Embassy, London, 2 January
Peter Marshall | 02.01.2009 23:23 | Palestine | Repression | World
Around 500 people took part in a noisy demonstration outside the 
Egyptian Embassy in London this afternoon, Friday 2 January 2009, 
calling for greater support from Egypt for the people of Gaza and an 
immediate opening of the border. Pictures Copyright (C) 2008 Peter 
Marshall, all rights reserved.

The crowd, mainly of Palestinians but with a good sprinkling of other 
supporters, were united in pressing for urgent action from Egypt as well 
as an immediate stop to the Israeli killing in Gaza and an end to the 
siege, although there were a few minor arguments and I saw stewards call 
police to deal with one trouble-maker who was quickly escorted away.

There was an effective barrier on the opposite side of South Street 
between the crowd and the embassy with a fairly strong police presence 
on the roadway in front of the building, as well as a number well behind 
the crowd, but other than preventing any access by demonstrators or 
press to the front of the Embassy the police simply stood and watched 
for the hour and a quarter I was there.

After some prolonged chanting and various addresses to the crowd, a 
small group of young men burnt some crudely drawn Israeli flags 
decorated with swastikas, and then set fire to a photograph of the Camp 
David meeting with a text reading "TREATY OF CAMP DAVID." A few small 
rotten tomatoes were also thrown towards the embassy.

More pictures on My London Diary shortly: http://mylondondiary.co.uk
Peter Marshall
e-mail: petermarshall at cix.co.uk
Homepage: http://mylondondiary.co.uk





http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/protesters-demand-egypt-opens-gaza-border-1222265.html

Protesters demand Egypt opens Gaza border
By Robert Dex, PA
Friday, 2 January 2009
More than 100 protesters gathered outside the Egyptian embassy today 
demanding the country opens its border with Gaza.
Betty Hunter, general secretary of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, 
said: "Egypt has to say this is our border and we can open it.
"It would allow humanitarian aid in and it would also allow the sick and 
the injured to come out and they could go to hospital.
"Egypt has to stop colluding with Israel and do this now."
Protesters gathered outside the embassy in South Street in central 
London chanted "Mubarak shame on you", in a reference to Egypt's 
President Hosni Mubarak.
Respect MP George Galloway joined the protestors later.
The member for Bethnal Green and Bow said: "We hold Egypt jointly 
responsible for this great crime.
"The Foreign Secretary of Israel was with Hosni Mubarak when the bombs 
began to fall and it's inconceivable she did not co-ordinate it with him.
"The Mubarak dictatorship has brought shame on Egypt."
Today's demonstration follows five days of protest outside the Israeli 
Embassy in Kensington and comes a day before marchers gather in central 
London to protest at Israel's bombardment of Gaza.





http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/248065,six-held-in-anti-israeli-protests-in-london--summary.html

Six held in anti-Israeli protests in London - Summary
Posted : Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:50:53 GMT
Author : DPA
Category : UK (World)

London - Around 2,000 people staged a noisy protest outside the Israeli 
embassy in London on Sunday in response to Israeli airstrikes that left 
hundreds dead in the Gaza Strip. Police were forced to call in 
reinforcements after protesters tore down barriers holding them back and 
hurled projectiles in the direction of the diplomatic mission.
Six people were arrested on charges that included disturbing public 
order after police forcibly removed a number of protesters from the 
gathering in the west of London.
Traffic in the area ground to a halt as the protest swelled from an 
initial group of 500 Palestinians and other people opposed to the 
Israeli military action in Gaza.
"Israel is a terrorist state," chanted demonstrators as Palestinian 
flags were waved. Other protesters held up posters reading "Holocaust in 
Gaza."
British Foreign Secretary David Milliband called for an "immediate halt 
to all violence" in Gaza. He said a cease-fire was urgently needed to 
halt the "massive loss of life" from the Israeli bombings.
Milliband said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown had contacted his 
Israeli counterpart Ehud Olmert and made it clear Israel must stick by 
its humanitarian obligations.





http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7802078.stm

Sunday, 28 December 2008

London protest over raids on Gaza

Protesters outside the Israeli Embassy in London clashed with police
Ten people have been arrested for public order offences after clashes at 
a protest near the Israeli embassy in London against air raids on Gaza.
Police said up to 700 people joined the demonstration and nearby 
Kensington High Street was closed to traffic.
The protesters resisted and threw placards when officers forcibly moved 
them back so that the road could be reopened.
The UK government has urged an "immediate halt" to violence in Gaza.
The protesters had gathered to wave placards, banners and flags bearing 
slogans such as "End the Siege in Gaza" and "Free Palestine".
Among them was 68-year-old Gamal Hamed, from Hammersmith, west London, 
whose 23-year-old son lives in Gaza.
"Yesterday was the bloodiest day in my homeland's history," he said. "We 
will do what we can to make the world take notice.

The deteriorating humanitarian situation is deeply disturbing

Foreign Secretary David Miliband

Arabs rally against Israeli raids
Voices: Reaction to Israeli raids

Some protesters were seen attempting to climb the gate towards the 
embassy and also throwing red liquid - to symbolise blood - towards the 
gate.
The clashes began after a small group of protesters stormed a barrier 
that had been penning them in.
Riot police were brought in to control the crowds and demonstrators were 
seen being handcuffed and taken away by officers as they tried to clear 
the street.
Several protesters left the scene with bloodied faces, according to a 
reporter from the Press Association.
The crowd chanted "shame on you" at officers as they were moved back 
from the embassy on Palace Green to Kensington High Street.
Campaigners said protests would continue on Monday.
'Deeply disturbing'
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has called for an urgent ceasefire in 
Gaza after Israeli airstrikes left hundreds dead.
He said a recent rise in rocket attacks against Israel and the "massive 
loss of life" from the Israeli bombings made it a "dangerous moment".
"The deteriorating humanitarian situation is deeply disturbing," he added.

The foreign secretary has called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza
Mr Miliband said Prime Minister Gordon Brown had spoken his Israeli 
counterpart Ehud Olmert and made it clear Israel must stick by its 
humanitarian obligations.
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said the amount of 
aid needed in Gaza was "enormous".
"I note statements by the government of Israel that it wishes to avoid a 
humanitarian crisis, and its willingness to assist by opening one of the 
crossings into Gaza for limited humanitarian supplies today," he said.
He added: "Rocket attacks out of Gaza into Israel are indefensible and 
hampering efforts to help."
Conservative leader David Cameron called the violence "horrific" and 
said both sides must show "restraint".
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Ed Davey described the 
strikes as "disproportionate" and "unacceptable".
'Shun Israel'
The demonstration outside the embassay was organised by the Stop the War 
Coalition and Respect MP George Galloway and former Labour MP Tony Benn 
were among those who addressed the crowd.
Afterwards Mr Galloway said: "The support at today's demonstration has 
been overwhelming. There are even Jewish rabbis who have joined us here.
"We should treat Israel as we treated South Africa during apartheid. 
They should be shunned."
One of the event's organisers, Ghada Razuki, said she was pleased with 
the turnout.
"I hope that events like today's show that there is hope for 
Palestinians - I really hope they see it," she said.
Israeli jets have launched a second day of air attacks on the Gaza Strip 
amid warnings that operations will continue until Hamas ends rocket fire 
from Gaza.
Palestinians say at least 280 people have died in the air raids.
The UN Security Council has called for an end to all violence, including 
rocket attacks from Gaza.






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/416371.html

Details of national and local protests to end bombing of Gaza
HANDS OFF GAZA | 29.12.2008 23:53 | Palestine
NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION: SATURDAY 3 JANUARY
HANDS OFF GAZA: STOP THE BOMBING: FREE PALESTINE
ASSEMBLE 2.0 PM PARLIAMENT SQUARE, W1.

Nearest tube Westminster. Called by Palestine Solidarity
Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative
and many other organisations.

PLEASE PUBLICISE AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION AS WIDELY AS
POSSIBLE.

OTHER DEMONSTRATIONS IN LONDON:

TUESDAY 30 DECEMBER, 2 - 4pm outside Israeli Embassy,
Kensington High Street, London, W4. Nearest tube
Kensingston High Street (turn right out of tube station and
walk along the main road.

WEDNESDAY 31 DECEMBER, 2 - 4pm outside Israeli Embassy

THURSDAY 1 JANUARY, 2 - 4pm outside Israeli Embassy

FRIDAY 2 JANUARY 2 - 4 pm. Outside the Egyptian Embassy, .
26 South Street, London, W1K 1DW. Call for Egypt to open
the border immediately.

*********************************
DEMONSTRATIONS ROUND THE COUNTRY

GLASGOW
Saturday 3 January 12 noon. Outside Lloyds TSB St Vincent
Street then assemble for demo at Blytheswood Square 2pm

EDINBURGH
Saturday 3 January 12 noon. Foot of the Mound, Princes
Street

BRISTOL
Centre, opposite the Hippodrome, Tuesday - Friday 5.00 -
6.00 and Saturday 3.00 - 4.00.

CARDIFF
Tuesday 30 December 12 to 1pm. outside Cardiff Market/ St
John's Church, the Hayes
Wednesday 31 December New Year Vigil. Nye Bevan Statue,
Queen Street

NOTTINGHAM
Tuesday 30 December 12 noon, Market Square

SOUTHAMPTON
Tuesday 30 December 12 to 2pm, West Quay Entrance, High
Street

PORTSMOUTH
Saturday 3 January 11am, Guildhall Square
Organised by Portsmouth Network for a Just Settlement of the
Arab-Israeli Conflict, and Portsmouth Stop the War Coalition

HULL
Saturday 3 January, 11am. Queen Victoria Square.
HANDS OFF GAZA
Brighton Gaza vigil
30.12.2008 10:42
There is a vigil on Wednesday 31st December at 1pm at the Clock Tower, 
Brighton to protest Israel's bombardment of Gaza.
free Gaza
________________________________________
Newcastle Upon Tyne
30.12.2008 13:25
Gaza massacre - Emergency Protest
Saturday 3rd January, Grey's Monument, Newcastle, 12 noon-2pm
Organised by Newcastle PSC, Tyneside StWC & University Friends of Palestine
Please bring placards, banners, flags, etc.
Solidarity
________________________________________
Brighton
30.12.2008 14:00
There will also be a demo in Brighton on Saturday the 3rd of January. 
Churchill Square 12.30.
T






http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk-cities-hold-protests-over-gaza-attacks-14122627.html

UK cities hold protests over Gaza attacks
Monday, 29 December 2008

Campaigners throughout Britain organised emergency protests today over 
the worsening situation in the Gaza Strip.
As Israeli air strikes on the Palestinian enclave continued for a third 
day, members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign were preparing to 
gather in towns and cities including London, Cardiff, Birmingham, 
Halifax and Sheffield.
Around 30 people in York held a silent vigil this afternoon to raise 
awareness over what they termed the "dreadful massacre" of a suffering 
Palestinian population.
They encouraged passers-by to write to MPs and MEPs, and to call for 
human rights demands to be built into negotiations on an EU-Israel trade 
agreement currently being worked out.
One of the organisers of the vigil, Monica Wusteman, said the attacks 
were part of a deliberate move to win votes in the forthcoming Israeli 
elections.
"There are 300 Palestinians dead and the count is still soaring, and the 
Israelis have declared that they have no intention of stopping at the 
moment," she said.
"This is a piece of Israeli electioneering - Palestinian rockets have 
been fired for years now.
"We knew this was going to happen, it has been scheduled to happen for 
some weeks now, because whoever can kill the most Palestinians is going 
to win the Israeli vote."
She said the people of York were generally supportive of the Palestinian 
cause, and campaigners in the city were hoping to hold a larger-scale 
protest next week.
Organisers of a protest in Sheffield city centre this afternoon were 
hopeful up to 200 people would join them in their bid to remember 
civilians killed in the attacks.
Musheir El-Farra, who moved from Palestine to Britain 20 years ago, said 
he hoped the British protests would help to humanise the Palestinian 
victims of the conflict.
"The Israelis are not attacking military targets, as they claim," he said.
"They are attacking civilians, in schools, in mosques, in hospitals and 
universities.
"To many people, the Palestinian deaths are nothing but numbers, but 
they are not numbers, they are human beings, and we hope to show their 
lives were very special to us."






http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/national-news/2009/01/08/campaigners-step-up-gaza-protests-73871-22649095/

Campaigners step up Gaza protests
Jan 8 2009
British campaigners stepped up protests against the Gaza conflict amid 
growing concerns about the impact of the fighting on civilians.
Amnesty International claimed Israeli soldiers were using Palestinians 
as human shields, while the United Nations halted aid shipments to Gaza 
after its staff and buildings were hit in attacks.
For a second day Israel temporarily suspended military action for three 
hours to allow Gazans to stock up on supplies, but aid agencies said 
only a full ceasefire would allow them to tackle the massive 
humanitarian crisis.
Meanwhile, police were preparing for further demonstrations by 
supporters of both Palestine and Israel in the coming days as tensions 
rose in Britain as a result of the bloody violence.
On Wednesday night nine men were arrested when two rival groups of 
protesters clashed in the streets outside the Israeli Embassy in 
Kensington, west London.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, who is responsible for 
Scotland Yard's central operations branch, said the demonstrations 
required at least 200 officers every night and had already cost the 
Metropolitan Police £300,000.
Veteran peace campaigners Tony Benn and Brian Haw joined the launch of a 
non-stop vigil opposite the Houses of Parliament in protest at Israel's 
attacks. Activists plan to maintain a presence in Parliament Square 
around the clock until the Israeli military withdraws and the violence ends.
Mr Benn, 83, who retired from a long Parliamentary career in 2001, 
condemned the "massive humanitarian crisis" in Gaza. But he praised the 
thousands of people in Britain who have joined demonstrations for peace.
Further protests in London are planned this weekend, with the Stop the 
War Coalition organising a march from Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park to 
the Israeli Embassy on Saturday. The Board of Deputies of British Jews 
is planning a rally to call for peace in Israel and Gaza, which will 
take place in Trafalgar Square at 11am on Sunday.
British aid agencies Islamic Relief and Cafod warned the humanitarian 
crisis was deepening hour by hour.







http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/jan2009/prot-j17.shtml

Students at two London universities occupy campuses in protest at Gaza 
attacks
By Paul Mitchell
17 January 2009
Students at two British universities have carried out occupations in 
protest at the war in Gaza. More are being planned on other campuses.
Occupation committee at the London School of Economics
Students at the School of Oriental and Asian Studies in London started 
their occupation on Tuesday issuing a leaflet explaining that "the 
current war of Israel against Gaza is yet another manifestation of the 
injustice which has been occurring un-remarked by the Western press 
since the establishment of the state of Israel, and the simultaneous 
expulsion of almost 914,000 Palestinians from their homes in 1948." It 
condemned Israel's violent seizures of land and the detention and forced 
exile of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians since then.
"World leaders have refused to condemn outright the massive overreaction 
by the Israeli state to the rocket attacks by Hamas; a manifestation of 
the frustration and fear of the occupied peoples. The Israelis are 
backed by the most powerful government in the world, the Palestinians 
have nothing to defend themselves but a few simple rockets, stones, and 
their bodies," the statement continued.
"That is why we must protest, and why we must make our voices heard 
using any means necessary; because this conflict has never been equal. 
Because we stand on the side of the oppressed," the statement concluded.
SOAS student Haroun Lazim explained that the occupation had erupted over 
three issues—the illegal occupation of Palestinian land and the 
atrocities being committed in Israel, an exhibition "We Were There" held 
in the university's Brunei gallery by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) 
promoting the role played by ethnic minorities in the UK's colonialist 
wars and the privatisation of the university facilities.
Haroun said the protesters had issued a set of demands to SOAS director 
Professor Paul Webley, including the publication of a statement 
condemning Israel's actions, the closure of the MOD exhibition and 
greater student control of the university facilities.
He said that several students had decided to carry out an occupation 
similar to the one at the university in 2000 protesting against tuition 
fees because several motions had been passed by the Students' Union 
supporting the Palestinians, criticising privatisation and addressing 
other issues.
The students set up an alternative exhibition to the one organised by 
the MOD "to display solidarity with the people of Gaza" which was banned 
to any "uniformed presence" and organised several meetings. They called 
"for other students to join us here and in similar demonstrations at 
other universities."
Students at the London School of Economics responded to the SOAS call by 
occupying one of the main lecture theatres. A statement from the 
occupation committee said, "LSE is an institution founded on the Fabian 
values that were the precursor of the human rights agenda of modern 
politics. LSE must restate those values and condemn state criminality. 
It is not a matter of politics, it is a matter of humanity." The 
statement demanded that the university condemn the attack on Gaza, stop 
investments in arms companies that supply the Israeli military and 
increase the number of scholarships available to Palestinian students.
So far the SOAS and LSE authorities seemed to have backed down from any 
confrontation with the students. Although LSE director Howard Davies has 
warned that "were there to be any damage (which would surprise me) or 
disruption of the education of other students, we might have to take a 
different view, but I am sure that is not in your minds."
Both institutions have insisted that they will not condemn the Israeli 
aggression in Gaza. SOAS's Webley says that, "it would be inappropriate 
for the School to make any overtly political statement as an 
institution." Davies insists that, "the School's Council has reiterated 
its position ... that the School will not take a position on the 
Israel/Palestine dispute."
But as the LSE student statement makes clear "this is in stark contrast 
to an overtly political statement issued by Davies in May 2007 
condemning a UCU (University and College Union) resolution concerning 
the Israeli Occupation, and previous condemnations by LSE of South 
African Apartheid and the Tiananmen Square massacre in the 1980s."
Davies says he is quite happy for the LSE to become involved in 
"legitimate humanitarian charity" and for students to send surplus books 
and computers students to "deserving institutions" in Palestine. 
Students should be wary that their courageous and principled political 
stand does not become co-opted into a charity exercise and should 
consider the perspective based on the unity of the Jewish and Arab 
working classes in the struggle for a Socialist Federation of the Middle 
East, which is bound up with the overthrow of capitalism across the world.






http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/lse-students-continue-gaza-protest-1403934.html

LSE students continue Gaza protest
By Alison Kershaw, PA
Friday, 16 January 2009
More than 40 students were continuing their sit-in at the London School 
of Economics today in protest at the conflict in Gaza.
A rally was due to take place this afternoon attended by veteran 
politician Tony Benn and anti-war campaigner Lindsey German.
The students are demanding that LSE director Howard Davies issues a 
statement condemning Israeli violence on Gaza.
The protest began last night when a group of students entered the LSE's 
Old Theatre in central London and occupied the stage.
In a statement the students said: "LSE is an institution founded on the 
Fabian values that were the precursor of the human rights agenda of 
modern politics.
"LSE must restate those values and condemn state criminality. It is not 
a matter of politics, it is a matter of humanity."
A university spokesman said a "small group" of students were staging a 
"limited occupation" and lectures were continuing as normal.
He said: "The students have presented six demands to the school, all of 
which relate to the conflict in Gaza. The school has sent a formal 
response to these demands."
In a letter replying to the demands, Mr Davies said the school's council 
had reiterated its position that the school "will not take a position" 
on the conflict.
He expressed his concerns at the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The LSE was founded in 1895 by Fabian socialists including Beatrice and 
Sidney Webb and the playwright George Bernard Shaw.
Among its former students are Cabinet Minister Ed Miliband and Rolling 
Stones frontman Mick Jagger, who dropped out to pursue his music career.






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/419374.html

LSE occupation continues into fifth day as other universities start protests
LSE Occupation | 19.01.2009 18:41 | Education | Free Spaces | Palestine 
| Social Struggles | World
tudents occupying a lecture theatre at the London School of Economics 
have continued their demonstration in to the fifth day.

Over forty students started the occupation in solidarity with Palestine 
last Thursday afternoon demanding that the LSE condemns Israeli 
aggression, divests from BAE, a firm that arms Israel, and provides 
material support for Palestinians. The students are demanding that the 
LSE waivers application fees and provides more scholarships for 
Palestinian students, sends surplus computers and books to Palestine and 
facilitates a cross-campus collection for Medical Aid for Palestine.
The move came after the Students' Union voted to condemn Israel for the 
attacks on Gaza.

The occupation has attracted several high profile speakers including 
Tony Benn, George Galloway, Lindsey German and Alex Callinicos to 
rallies and public lectures inside the occupied theatre. The line-up of 
speakers for Tuesday includes Baroness Jenny Tonge, Haim Bresheeth, 
Moshe Machover and Paul Gilroy.

Tony Benn endorsed the occupation, "May I congratulate you all for 
having organised this occupation. I have seen the statement of intent 
that you have made and I agree with it one hundred percent." He said, 
"Don't think that you're an isolated little group at the LSE. In my 
judgement I believe there is mass support for what you are doing from 
all over the world."

Over 350 students attended the lecture with Tony Benn. Since its start, 
the core group of the occupation has doubled to about 80 students, with 
dozens more coming in daily to express their support.

One of the students, Mira Hammad, addressed 10.000 people at Saturday's 
Trafalgar Square rally. "Now, this is the age of human rights, this is 
the age when we stand up for the people who have no voice, we are giving 
a voice to the silenced," she said, adding, "We urge all students: 
Forget NUS, forget the government. Stand up yourselves, and make a 
statement: Start the movement now"

George Galloway expressed his support for the occupation outside the 
occupied theatre today, "I want to thank you on the action that you have 
taken, rescuing the honour of the London School of Economics. It has 
been dishonoured by the silence of Howard Davies in the face of the war 
crime involved in the deliberate destruction and bombardment of the 
Islamic University in Gaza.", he said.

The group has received messages of support from LSE Staff against the 
war, a large number of academics and students from other universities 
and members of the public. Over 350 LSE students have signed a petition 
in support of the occupation.

Occupations have also been taking place at SOAS and Essex Universities 
and other student groups plan to start occupations in the coming days.

The group today expressed optimism that the School is close to meeting 
their demands. A spokesperson said, "The School appears to have agreed 
in principle to our reasonable demands regarding providing support for 
Palestinians. We look forward to meeting with them to discuss the 
details of the support the LSE community can provide and our request 
that they issue a statement and divest from BAE. Unfortunately, they are 
currently arguing that they will not speak with us further until the 
occupation has ended. This is unsatisfactory to us as in the past they 
have used this tactic to avoid making firm commitments. We hope to meet 
with them shortly."

The spokesperson added, "LSE is an institution founded on the Fabian 
values that were the precursor of the human rights agenda of modern 
politics. LSE must restate those values and condemn state criminality. 
It is not a matter of politics, it is a matter of humanity. For an 
academic institution to profit from firms that arm Israel is unacceptable."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1) Please view our blog for updates and past news releases. 
http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/
2) The identity of other universities who will start occupations is 
being kept secret. Contact us: lseoccupation at googlemail.com
3) For more information on the SOAS occupation: 
http://soassolidarity4gaza.blogspot.com/
4) For more information on the Essex occupation: 
http://www.visitpalestine.asia/page.cfm/id/98207
5) For the motion on Gaza passed by the Students' Union: 
http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/student-union-passes-motion-condemning.html
6) The video of Mira's speech can be found here: 
http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/lse-students-to-speak-at-trafalgar.html
7) The video of Tony Benn's speech can be found here: 
http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/videos-now-uploaded-tony-benn-lindsey.html
8) The video of George Galloway's speech can be found here: 
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=22IMP8EbgFg&feature=channel_page
LSE Occupation
e-mail: michaeldeas at gmail.com
Homepage: http://michaeldeas@gmail.com





http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/17/gaza-armsfactory-protest

Military components factory ransacked in Gaza protest
Nine people held after break-in at plant near Brighton allegedly making 
parts for Isareli missiles
• Mark Townsend
• guardian.co.uk, Saturday 17 January 2009 15.41 GMT
Nine people are being questioned by police following extensive damage at 
an arms factory where protesters claim military components are being 
made for Israeli warplanes bombing Gaza.
The group, which calls itself Smash EDO, entered the EDO MBM Technology 
plant in Moulsecoomb, Brighton, in the early hours of this morning. 
During the incident computers and furniture were hurled from the windows 
of the Sussex factory. Police described the damaged as "substantial".
Demonstrators said they were "decommissioning" the site in protest 
against the killings of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli 
military. They said equipment made at the plant was being used in Gaza 
by the Israeli air force.
DCI Graham Pratt of Sussex police said: "Windows had been smashed and 
offices turned over in what I would describe as wanton vandalism, but 
with machinery and equipment so targeted that it could have been done 
with a view of bringing business to a standstill. The damage is 
significant and the value substantial."
EDO MBM is the sole British subsidiary of US weapons company EDO Corp. 
 From its Moulescoomb base it manufactures laser-guided missiles that 
have been used extensively in Iraq, the Palestinian territories and Somalia.
The weapons were reportedly used by Israel against Lebanon in 2005, and 
have also been allegedly used in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Thousands of people gathered this afternoon for demonstrations across 
the country in a third weekend of protests against the Israeli attacks 
on Gaza.
Organisers of a rally in Birmingham said more than 5,000 people had 
turned up in the city centre. In London, the former Labour cabinet 
minister Tony Benn was among the speakers due to address crowds in 
Trafalgar Square.
He said: "It is a moral responsibility for all of us. People are being 
killed not so far away from here, women and children."






http://www.myantiwar.org/view/170505.html

Military components factory ransacked in Gaza protest
Nine people held after break-in at plant near Brighton allegedly making 
parts for Isareli missiles
• Mark Townsend
• guardian.co.uk, Saturday 17 January 2009 15.41 GMT
Nine people are being questioned by police following extensive damage at 
an arms factory where protesters claim military components are being 
made for Israeli warplanes bombing Gaza.
The group, which calls itself Smash EDO, entered the EDO MBM Technology 
plant in Moulsecoomb, Brighton, in the early hours of this morning. 
During the incident computers and furniture were hurled from the windows 
of the Sussex factory. Police described the damaged as "substantial".
Demonstrators said they were "decommissioning" the site in protest 
against the killings of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli 
military. They said equipment made at the plant was being used in Gaza 
by the Israeli air force.
DCI Graham Pratt of Sussex police said: "Windows had been smashed and 
offices turned over in what I would describe as wanton vandalism, but 
with machinery and equipment so targeted that it could have been done 
with a view of bringing business to a standstill. The damage is 
significant and the value substantial."
EDO MBM is the sole British subsidiary of US weapons company EDO Corp. 
 From its Moulescoomb base it manufactures laser-guided missiles that 
have been used extensively in Iraq, the Palestinian territories and Somalia.
The weapons were reportedly used by Israel against Lebanon in 2005, and 
have also been allegedly used in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Thousands of people gathered this afternoon for demonstrations across 
the country in a third weekend of protests against the Israeli attacks 
on Gaza.
Organisers of a rally in Birmingham said more than 5,000 people had 
turned up in the city centre. In London, the former Labour cabinet 
minister Tony Benn was among the speakers due to address crowds in 
Trafalgar Square.
He said: "It is a moral responsibility for all of us. People are being 
killed not so far away from here, women and children."





http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7836468.stm

Sunday, 18 January 2009
Seven charged over Gaza protest
Seven men have been charged with burglary and criminal damage following 
an attack on an arms factory in Sussex.
EDO MBM Technology in Moulsecoomb was broken into on Friday night by 
protesters angry about the Israeli attacks in Gaza.
Police said two men from Brighton and five men from Bristol would appear 
before Brighton magistrates on Monday.
A woman from Bristol remains under arrest, while a woman from Brighton 
is on bail pending further inquiries.
EDO designs, develops and manufactures weapon carriage and release 
systems and is an approved supplier to the Ministry of Defence and 
governments worldwide.







http://story.torontotelegraph.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/2411cd3571b4f088/id/455828/cs/1/

Anti-Israel protest targets British arms' company
Toronto Telegraph
Monday 19th January, 2009
(IANS)
London, Jan 19, (IANS) Anti-Israel protesters Monday staged a 
demonstration here outside an armament company that supplies military 
hardware to Israeli security forces, IRNA reported.

The Lichfield-based company, a subsidiary of Israel's Elbit systems, 
supplies Wankel engines that are used in Hermes 450 surveillance 
aircraft (drone), the report said.

The aircraft were believed to have been widely used in the latest 
Israeli operation in Gaza. The protesters were demanding the end of the 
hardware supplies to Israel.

The protest comes after Amnesty International, a human rights group, 
said that the specially designed engines for the pilot-less Israeli 
drones were made in Britain.

The Amnesty said the UN relief agency in Gaza had seen these drones 
being used by the Israeli forces. The rights group has called on the 
British government to suspend all arms sales to Israel.

'The British government must ensure that weapons exports to Israel does 
not encourage human rights abuses,' Tim Hancock, campaigns director of 
the group, said, adding that the ban must also include military hardware.

The pilot-less aircraft were also used by Israel on previous occasions. 
The government should ensure that the Britain-based firms are not 
involved, directly or indirectly, in attacks on civilian targets, 
Hancock said.






http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/mhsnmhqlcwmh/

Gaza protestors block Raytheon plant in Derry
09/01/2009 - 09:50:25

Up to 70 protesters are blocking workers from entering the premises of 
the US weapons manufacturer Raytheon in Derry this morning as part of a 
protest against the Israeli attack on Gaza.

The Derry Anti-War Coalition says the company is being targeted because 
of its involvement in producing weapons being used by the Israeli 
military in Gaza.

Raytheon is the world's third largest arms manufacturer and makes 
Patriot, Sidewinder and Tomahawk missiles.

However, it says its Derry operation only makes civilian aviation systems.

Two years ago, protesters in Derry stormed its offices and threw 
computers and files out of the windows, but were later cleared of theft 
and damage charges after arguing that they were trying to save lives.








http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417847.html

Report of all Scotland protest against the current Israeli attack on Gaza.
Paul O'Hanlon | 11.01.2009 09:36 | Anti-militarism | Anti-racism | 
Palestine | World
This is a detailed report with 20 photos of the all Scotland 
demonstration against the Israeli attack on Gaza. There is also a round 
up of a number of protests around the world.
Saturday 10th January 2009 saw an all Scotland protest against the 
current Israeli attack on Gaza in Edinburgh.

The event was supported by Stop the War Scotland, Glasgow and Edinburgh, 
Pauline McNeil MSP, Sandra White MSP, Muslim Association of Britain, 
Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Glasgow Palestine Human Rights 
Campaign, Lebanese Community Scotland, Scottish Afghan Society, Scottish 
Islamic Foundation, Scottish Friends of Palestine, Scottish CND, SACC 
and others. (Note: MSP = Member of Scottish Parliament, CND = Campaign 
for Nuclear Disarmament, SACC = Scotland against Criminalising Communities).

The Scotland-wide demonstration assembled in East Market Street behind 
Waverley train station at 1230 and set off late due to the large numbers 
of people arriving from other parts of Scotland. There was a fairly 
heavy police presence including mounted constabulary. To chants of 
`Free, Free Palestine` the march set off just after One o’clock and 
moved along Market Street, Waverley Bridge and Princes Street towards 
Waterloo Place and Regent Road. The length of the march which was 
estimated by organisers to be about 10,000 people took around 20 minutes 
to pass the 300 yard length of Waverly Bridge. Chants heard include 
`One, two, three, four we don’t want your

Banners and placards read `End the siege of Gaza`, `Free Palestine` and 
`Stop the massacres`.

The march went past St Andrew’s House (the headquarters building of the 
Scottish Government) and the old Royal High School. The entrance to 
Regent Terrace (the location of the US Consulate) was closed off by 
police and the march turned round here and went back down towards the 
city centre. Firstly however many demonstrators took the opportunity to 
throw hundreds of shoes in the direction of the consulate. Inspired by 
Baghdad shoe thrower Muntadhar al-Zaidi several hundred pieces of 
footwear were hurled over the heads of the line of police. This went on 
for around 15 minutes.

To the singing of `The war machine goes round and round`, `Occupation is 
a crime`, and ` Free, free Muntadhar` the march went on down to the 
rally by the Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens.

There at around 2.45pm speakers included Kenny Ross (Secretary Scottish 
Fire Brigades Union), Joy Dunn (on behalf of the STUC General Council), 
Fatima Helou (Survivor of Sabra and Chatilla), Pauline McNeill (MSP), 
Henry Maitles (Jews for Justice for Palestine), Aamer Anwar (Human 
Rights Lawyer), and Osama Saeed (Scottish Islamic Foundation). There 
were two speakers from Gaza by phone link, one each from the Scottish 
Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and the Stop The War Coalition (Scotland).

Kenny Ross of the Scottish Fire Brigades Union pointed out the great 
difficulty there would be in rescuing people from burning buildings in 
such a densely populated area.

Fatima Helou, a Survivor of Sabra and Chatilla, said that the attack on 
Gaza was so indiscriminate that not just Hamas would be killed but many 
innocent civilians and that it amounted to ethnic cleansing. She called 
for UN forces to be used in both Gaza and the West Bank to protect 
Palestinians.

Scottish National Party MSP Sandra White said that the Scottish 
Parliament had called for a ceasefire right away. She called for 
ordinary people to say to their government that `enough is enough`. “We 
in Scotland support you, we bleed with you and we will not rest until 
this conflict is finished.”

Then human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar spoke saying that in the previous 
two weeks we had heard a lot about Israel’s right to defend itself. The 
Palestinian people have every legal and moral right to resist the 
illegal and violent occupation of their land. He said the Israelis would 
not let journalists into Gaza so as to cover up the evidence of war 
crimes. Calling George Bush a war criminal he also criticised the 
silence of President elect Barack Obama. He said the reporting of the 
BBC was prejudiced in favour of Israel.

Next there was a link up to a doctor in Gaza who told the silent crowd 
that he was grateful to the protestors and spoke of a humanitarian 
catastrophe in Gaza. Over 800 people had been killed and houses and 
hospitals were being bombarded. Over 1,000 children had been injured, 
drinking water was in short supply and he said that ordinary people 
around the world had the power to stop the slaughter.

Then Labour Party MSP (member of Scottish Parliament) Pauline McNeill 
addressed the gathering. Since her student days, Pauline McNeill has had 
a strong interest in international issues. She is the Convener of the 
Cross Party Group on Palestine, and was a United Nations observer at the 
2006 Palestinian Authority elections, later in 2006 she visited Lebanon 
in the aftermath of the war there, and continues to speak out, both in 
the Parliament, and at demonstrations, public meetings and protests on 
the need for a peaceful and just solution in the Middle East. The 
Scottish Parliament, she said, in its emergency session on Thursday 8th 
January, in an unprecedented debate, called for an immediate ceasefire 
and an end to the bloodshed. Everyone had heard the truth today – a 
third of the casualties were children and whole families had been wiped 
out. The Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank would not be divided. 
She said Hamas would not be firing rockets were it not for the Israeli 
blockade of Gaza.


Then Keir McKechnie of the Scottish Stop the War coalition followed 
telling the crowd that 100,000 were protesting in London. He said there 
were demonstrations all over the world and instead of arming Israel they 
should be sending hospital ships to Gaza. He suggested that Prime 
Minister Gordon Brown should expel the Israeli ambassador. He said there 
could be no comparison between the home made rockets of Hamas and 
Israeli F 16s and Apache helicopters.

Then Mick Napier of Scottish Palestine Solidarity spoke: “Friends the 
Israelis have a very simple calculus. They know they can murder 
Palestinians at will, they know they can murder; they’ve been doing it 
for a bloody long time. They watch the reaction around the world and 
when it reaches certain intensity they know Western governments will 
rein them in. He said the answer rests in our hands – the more pressure 
we put on them the better. Bill Rammell (a Minister of State at the 
Foreign and Commonwealth Office) said there was no difference between 
the US and British position. According to former British Ambassador 
Craig Murray while Gordon Brown publicly calls for a ceasefire he 
privately tells British diplomats in New York to vote with the 
Americans. He likened the Hamas fighters in Gaza to Spartacus. He spoke 
of the attempt of a number of Scots to deliver medicine to Gaza last 
year when the Egyptians (who work hand in hand with the Israelis) 
refused them entry. This drew loud boos from the crowd. He urged 
boycotts of Israel.

There was a brief goodwill message from Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams 
and then Osama Saeed of the Scottish Islamic Foundation talked to the 
crowd. He said `Salaam 'Alaykum` (peace be with you) and called for an 
immediate ceasefire. He said “Don’t just get mad, get active.”

Another speaker live from Gaza – an International - told of the dreadful 
humanitarian situation.

Henry Maitles (Jews for Justice for Palestine) spoke next and said he 
was proud and privileged to march alongside the Stop the war on Gaza 
demonstration that day. He said that the Israeli army did not act in his 
name and commended those demonstrating in Haifa and Tel Aviv against the 
war. “There will be no peace in the Middle East without justice for 
Palestinians.”

There was a message from deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon saying 
that Scottish hospitals would be open to people from Gaza.

Joy Dunn (on behalf of the STUC General Council) said that the number of 
casualties and the violations of International Law were terrible. She 
called for a Palestinian state and criticised George Bush’s failure to 
call for a ceasefire.

Penultimate speaker was John Barrett MP (Liberal Democrat Edinburgh West 
constituency) In his daily blog he said on January 6th: “Just when you 
think things cannot get any worse, often they do. Today there are 
reports of a UN run school in Gaza being hit and 40 people being killed, 
and also three Israelis being killed by their own side. The term often 
used to describe this is "friendly fire" but it is no such thing and is 
one of the many odd phrases used in war, such as "theatre" to describe 
the field of action or "theatre weapons" which are those between 
tactical and strategic. The words used do not capture the human 
suffering and misery on all sides. The history of the region has a 
legacy of bloodshed and terror on both sides. From early attacks on the 
UK Government by Jewish terrorists, when Israel was being established, 
to the modern terror from both sides. There has been little improvement 
over 60 years. One thing that has happened elsewhere and will no doubt 
happen someday in Israel and Palestine is that today's terrorists will 
become those involved in negotiations in the future. The killing must 
stop and the discussions must start again. A two state solution with 
both sides accepting the existence of the other, within secure borders, 
is the only way forward.”

Final speaker was Mohammed Asif, a refugee from Afghanistan who called 
for support for Hezbollah and Hamas in their opposition to Israel.


The event finished about 4.00pm.

20 photos from the day are attached.

Here is how the event was reported on the BBC Scotland website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7822195.stm

Here is an Al Jazeera round up of World protests:
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/200919123947912684.html


Round up of demonstrations around the world:

Here is an Israeli Indymedia report of a demo in Tel Aviv:
https://israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/10203/index.php

Here is the Israeli Indymedia report from Jaffa:
https://israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/10202/index.php


Photos from London, UK demo:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417810.html?c=on#c212089

Photos from Indymedia Norway:
http://www.indymedia.no/

 From Indymedia Chicago news of a large and lively demo:
http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/85403/index.php

 From New York City:
http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2009/01/102737.html

 From Portland, Oregon:
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2009/01/384768.shtml

 From Washington DC:
http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/145222/index.php

List of protests in Canada:
http://www.cmaq.net/node/31854

Images from Quebec protests:
http://www.cmaq.net/taxonomy/term/15

 From Italy:
http://lombardia.indymedia.org/node/12380

 From Liguria (Italy near the border with France):
http://lombardia.indymedia.org/node/12380

 From Barcelona, Spain:
http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display/362322/index.php

 From Sydney, Australia:
http://sydney.indymedia.org.au/event/rally-israeli-embassy-stop-massacre-gaza-saturday-10-january-1pm

 From Auckland, New Zealand:
http://indymedia.org.nz/newswire/display/76693/index.php

 From Wellington, New Zealand:
http://indymedia.org.nz/newswire/display/76650/index.php


 From Athens, Greece:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417790.html

 From Cork, Ireland:
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/90528

 From Switzerland:
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/demix/2009/01/66122.shtml

 From Perth, Western Australia:
http://perth.indymedia.org/

 From Jakarta, Indonesia:
http://jakarta.indymedia.org/newswire.php?story_id=2075

 From Argentina:
http://argentina.indymedia.org/



GEORGE BUSH, GORDON BROWN, BARACK OBAMA, EHUD OLMERT AND TZIPI LIVNI - 
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

THE WORLD IS WATCHING!
Paul O'Hanlon








http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Protesters-take-to-the-capital39s.4883415.jp

Protesters take to the capital's streets

Published Date: 16 January 2009
MORE than 100 pro-Palestinian campaigners gathered outside Edinburgh 
University yesterday in a protest against Israeli military action in Gaza.
The "Stop Bombing Gaza: Ceasefire Now" demonstration in the city's 
Bristo Square featured marching and chants calling for an end to Israeli 
military action in Gaza.

The protest passed peacefully – unlike many of the pro-Palestinian 
rallies elsewhere in Europe, which have resulted in arrests.

Holding banners reading "Stop The Massacre" and "End The Siege", 
students marched through Edinburgh chanting: "Occupation is a crime, 
free, free, Palestine".

The demonstration – which included representatives from the Edinburgh 
University Palestine Solidarity Society – concluded their march outside 
Holyrood.

Australian student, Yasmin Bushby, called for an end to hostilities 
which have left hundreds of civilians dead.

She said: "I'm not going to comment on the complexities of 60 years of 
conflict, but what we want above all is an end to violence and an 
attempt to try and establish peace between Israel and Gaza."

Simon Hodge, a radio producer from Fife, joined in the protest.

He said: "I felt compelled to attend because it's too easy to say it 
doesn't affect us, so we therefore don't need to attend."






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/419251.html

Gaza Protest March Through Nottingham to Market Sq : Pix 1
Tash [alan lodge] | 19.01.2009 17:05 | Anti-militarism | Palestine | 
Social Struggles | Terror War | Nottinghamshire
On Saturday 17th January people began meeting at 10.30 am on the Forest 
Recreation Ground.
On Saturday 17th January people began meeting at 10.30 am on the Forest 
Recreation Ground.

Nottingham Stop the War Coalition has called a Protest Demonstration 
through Nottingham. The march was supported by all the Nottingham Mosques.
Assembled with banners, placards, several coffins carried by local 
children behind a hearse, a couple of thousand marched down the 
Mansfield Road into the Market Square for a rally in the Market Square. 
Speakers included Alan Sipson MP, Nottingham City Council Labour 
Counsellors and others.

****

Yesterday,
Called by Nottingham Stop the War Coalition, Nottingham Mosques and 
supported by many groups. On Friday 16th January from 5.30pm onwards, 
there was a Protest 'candle-lit' Vigil outside the Council House in the 
Old Market Square on Friday evening. people began to gather from 5:30pm, 
some coming straight from work. There were speakers, including Alan 
Simpson MP, Hicham Yezza from Nottingham University (recently wrongly 
imprisoned under the terrorism laws), Nottingham City Labour Counsellors 
and others.

Nottingham Gaza Protest 'candle-lit' Vigil
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/419206.html
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/419227.html


Please continue to support these efforts and also contact your Local MPs 
- phone, write and ask them what the are doing about the situation in Gaza.

Free Gaza Campaign http://www.freegaza.com

Nottingham Stop the War http://www.nottmagainstwar.org.uk

Gaza Public Meeting at Bobbers Mill Community Centre, Nottingham
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/418048.html

Nottingham's Gaza Emergency Protest: Pictures 1
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/416449.html

Nottingham's Gaza Emergency Protest: Pictures 2
http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/416470.html
ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email: tash at indymedia.org
Member of the National Union of Journalists [No: 014345]







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/419682.html

Protest against Israel's assault on Gaza-Mansfield
Lily | 21.01.2009 17:51 | Palestine | Nottinghamshire
Saturday 24th Jan 1pm Mansfield Market Square

The Israeli government should know that the worldwide outrage at 
Israel’s actions, and the complicity of other governments will not 
simply disappear. It will continue until the attacks and siege of Gaza 
end and until the occupation of Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem end, 
and the Palestinian people achieve justice and their full rights under 
international law.
Lily
Homepage: 
http://www.chad.co.uk/news/Mansfield-protest-this-Saturday-over.4893086.jp









http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417469.html

Plymouth Protests Disgraceful BBC Gaza Reporting
freeluncher | 07.01.2009 23:17 | Palestine
Plymouth says no to War Criminals and their Apologists.
Despite the freezing cold, 50 or so people attended another protest in 
Plymouth at Charles Cross this evening in response to the ongoing 
slaughter in Gaza. Once again, it was obvious from the abundant beeps of 
support from passing motorists that a great many people are disgusted by 
the ongoing aggression of the Israeli military. After the rush hour 
traffic had died down, a sizeable contingent of us then headed for the 
BBC building on Seymour Road, to register our displeasure at the biased 
reporting of the British Broadcasting Service. For more on the BBC’s 
shameful one-sided reporting, read 
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=9307
freeluncher
Homepage: http://talkingliberties.wordpress.com/






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417481.html

Hey, while in London this evening, flashing blue lights drew my 
attention to about 20 cars with Palestinian flags stuck on their windows 
driving along the embankments tooting horns. Police went a bit mental - 
can i just say to people stopped, you only have to tell cops name, 
address, date of birth, after that NO COMMENT, i repeat NO COMMENT. Nice 
one for getting this demo together

love and rage xHey, while in Hey, while in London this evening, flashing 
blue lights drew my attention to about 20 cars with Palestinian flags 
stuck on their windows driving along the embankments tooting horns. 
Police went a bit mental - can i just say to people stopped, you only 
have to tell cops name, address, date of birth, after that NO COMMENT, i 
repeat NO COMMENT. Nice one for getting this demo together

love and rage xLondon this evening, flashing blue lights drew my 
attention to about 20 cars with Palestinian flags stuck on their windows 
driving along the embankments tooting horns. Police went a bit mental - 
can i just say to people stopped, you only have to tell cops name, 
address, date of birth, after that NO COMMENT, i repeat NO COMMENT. Nice 
one for getting this demo together

love and rage x
brighton solidarity






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417519.html

Gaza protest at Israeli Embassy, London, Wed 7 Jan
Peter Marshall | 08.01.2009 12:19 | Palestine | Repression | World
Daily demonstrations opposite the Israel Embassy in London against the 
killings and injuries in Gaza continue.
By the time I had to leave around 6.30pm around 500 people had turned up 
to protest opposite the Israeli embassy about the continuing ground and 
air attacks on Gaza and its people with its ever increasing death toll - 
over 680 people killed in 11 days -and to call for an immediate end to 
Israeli aggression.

Among the many Palestinians and others showing their solidarity with the 
Palestinian people were several ultra-orthodox Neturei Karta as well as 
other Jewish groups including the International Jewish Anti-Zionist 
Network. There were several people holding posters "ASHAMED TO BE AN 
ISRAELI !!!" and a group of supporters of Haitian human rights activist 
Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine (kidnapped in Haiti in 2007) who had come to the 
Gaza demonstration rather than their normal weekly vigil at the 
Brazilian Embassy.

While I was there, police were keeping the demonstrators behind a double 
row of barriers and keeping a single lane of traffic moving on the road 
in front in both directions. For a very short time I was able to 
photograph from the area in the front of the demonstration, but one 
familiar police officer told me that I was getting in his way and I was 
forced to leave.

The demonstration was due to end at 7pm and a pro-Israel demonstration 
was scheduled to start at 7.45pm in the same place. According to news 
reports, around 500 pro-Israel demonstrators turned up and some of the 
pro-Palestine demonstrators had stayed to oppose them. There were a 
number of struggles with police and 5 pro-Palestine demonstrators were 
arrested as police attempted to drive them further west away from the 
Embassy and the other demonstrators. Another arrest was also reported 
earlier when police stopped a group of almost a hundred cars with 
Palestinian flags coming to join the demonstration from East London.

More pictures on My London Diary shortly, http://mylondondiary.co.uk
Peter Marshall
e-mail: petermarshall at cix.co.uk
Homepage: http://mylondondiary.co.uk






http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/uk/cities+protest+over+gaza+attacks/2894462

Cities protest over Gaza attacks
Print this page
Last Modified: 29 Dec 2008
Source: PA News
Campaigners throughout Britain have organised emergency protests over 
the worsening situation in the Gaza Strip.
As Israeli air strikes on the Palestinian enclave continued for a third 
day, members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign were preparing to 
gather in towns and cities including London, Cardiff, Birmingham, 
Halifax and Sheffield.
Around 30 people in York held a silent vigil to raise awareness over 
what they termed the "dreadful massacre" of a suffering Palestinian 
population.







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/416407.html

Newcastle Gaza Protest
Organised by Newcastle PSC, Tyneside StWC & University Friends of 
Palestine | 30.12.2008 13:40 | Palestine
Gaza massacre - Emergency Protest

NEWCASTLE Saturday 3rd January
Grey's Monument, Newcastle, 12 noon-2pm
Please bring placards, banners, flags, etc.
Organised by Newcastle PSC, Tyneside StWC & University Friends of Palestine
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/416412.html

Protest Against the Israeli Ambassador's Visit to Warwick Uni Campus 
Tomorrow
Concerned Citizens | 30.12.2008 15:19 | Anti-militarism | Education | 
Palestine | Birmingham | Cambridge
We've learnt that Ron Prosor, the Israeli Ambassador to the UK, will be 
speaking on Warwick Campus tomorrow at midday, as part of the Limmud 
conference. Clearly this is very short notice - it's been kept under 
wraps as far as I can tell. If you can make it along to protest, then 
please do, it's really important to have a presence, given the current 
situation.

A map is on the facebook page linked to above. Given that it'll be New 
Years Eve, and given the short notice (we only just found out), turnout 
will be less than it should be. Any and all attendees will be very valuable.
Concerned Citizens
Homepage: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=41257237978







http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7805046.stm

Tuesday, 30 December 2008
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version


Welsh protests over Gaza violence

A boy among the protesters in Cardiff city centre


More than 100 people have attended a protest in Cardiff city centre 
calling for peace in Gaza.
Carrying banners and singing songs, they called for an end to violence 
in an hour-long demonstration.
Meanwhile, members of a group called Swansea Palestine Link protested at 
BBC Wales' Cardiff HQ by superglueing themselves to security barriers.
Palestinian officials say 360 have died in air attacks since Saturday. 
Four Israelis have died in rocket fire.
Demonstration organiser Ray Davies said at the protest in the main Queen 
Street shopping street: "We want to give a Welsh protest voice to what 
is happening in Gaza."

One of the protesters in Cardiff city centre on Tuesday
Mr Davies, vice-chair of CND Cymru, said: "I feel a great deal of 
sadness and pain at the bombings, and it has prompted me, and other 
people, to use that to campaign for peace in Palestine and Israel."
Yousif Abbas, who runs an Iraqi community school in Cardiff, said: "A 
resolution has been promised, but there is no sign of it. There needs to 
be an end to all this, by peaceful means."
Abdullah Saif, 18, from Butetown, Cardiff, said: "We're the next 
generation, and we need to show people what's happening."
Meanwhile, in the protest at BBC Wales, a man and woman glued themselves 
to barriers, temporarily closing access via the main reception area.
They said they were unhappy with coverage of the conflict and asked the 
BBC to refer to Hamas as a government which has been democratically elected.
A BBC spokesman said: "We're satisfied that the BBC's coverage of the 
events in Israel and the Palestinian Authority has been balanced, fair, 
accurate and up to the usual BBC standards of impartiality.
"In our reports, we have tried to explain how the current situation 
started and has since developed, and given air-time to representatives 
from across the political spectrum."






http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1120262/Rangers-defender-Bougherra-risks-SFA-rap-Israel-protest.html

Rangers defender Bougherra risks SFA rap over Israel protest
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 11:13 PM on 16th January 2009
• Comments (0)
• Add to My Stories
Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra will risk the wrath of the SFA on 
Saturday and wear a black armband in protest at the 'barbaric' treatment 
of Palestine by Israel.
The defender - a devout Muslim - is determined to protest over the 
situation in the Middle East when Rangers welcome Falkirk to Ibrox this 
afternoon.
Bougherra runs the risk of SFA sanctions for making a political point, 
but the Algerian star insists he doesn't care if he is fined.
'As a Muslim, I am deeply touched by the barbarity that has been 
suffered by our Palestinian brothers and sisters from Israel,' said 
Bougherra.
'These killings must stop because there could be massacres and even 
genocide. The images that come to us from Gaza upsets any sensitive and 
fair human.
'Everyone must make a gesture about this. I am now thinking about action 
in the next match.






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/418826.html

150 protest for Gaza in Bath!
Matt Banning | 17.01.2009 17:40 | Anti-militarism
over 150 people responded to Bath Activist Networks call for and 'Israel 
out of Gaza' protest, joining tens of thousands of others accross the 
country demanding an end to Israels genocidal war on the Palestinian people.

The crowd was large, angry and noisy, and many agreed that this was the 
best and biggest demo Bath has seen in a while. Taking to the streets, 
the march wound through the centre of Bath, stopping outside, and 
blockading (by weight of numbers) Starbucks before protesting outside, 
and inside Llyods TSB, which ended up locking its doors after the 
manager refused to come out and debate with activists. We then headed 
down to M&S, one of the UKs biggest corporate sponsors of Israel. We 
asked for no permission to march, and do not intend to do so in future, 
we also reserved our right to set our own route and agenda for the demo. 
The police were very jumpy, and at points got heavy with activists 
filming the demo, as well as getting a bit obsessed with finding an 
organiser (something they didn't succeed in doing!). All in all, the day 
was a huge sucess, and the demo was very well recieved by the public. If 
hostilities continue, we will be holding another demo next saturday, 
starting at 12.30 at Abbey Courtyard, Bath.

Sorry for the slightly poor write up - just got homr from the demo!
Matt Banning
e-mail: bathactivistnet at yahoo.co.uk
Homepage: http://www.bathactivistnetwork.blogspot.com





http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/418819.html

2nd Gaza Protest In Wrexham!
Andrew McCoy | 17.01.2009 16:23 | Anti-militarism | Palestine | Terror 
War | Liverpool
Wrexham Peace and Justice Forum protest again at the continued violence 
and bloodshed that is Israels invasion of Gaza !
More than 60 people again braved the cold in Wrexham, N. Wales this 
Saturday in continuation of their protest against the Israeli invasion 
of Gaza.
The protest, the second of its kind, was organised by Wrexham Peace and 
Justice Forums who heard Councillor Marc Jones, of Plaid Cymru, and
Janet Ryder, the North Wales AM, adding their voices of concern over the 
invasion.
They were united in seeking an end to the violence on both sides, 
calling the
800 deaths suffered in the invasion totally disproportionate.
Both again, urged Wrexham people to join a boycott of Israeli goods 
including fruit, vegetables and herbs.
More than half Israel's exports are to the UK and many are available in 
local supermarkets.
Some activists went on from the protest to make their opposition to 
Israeli goods being sold locally in a known supermarket.
Andrew McCoy
e-mail: abmccoy at tiscali.co.uk





http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/418810.html

Cambridge protest in solidarity with Gaza
manos | 17.01.2009 15:50 | Anti-militarism | Palestine | Cambridge | World
Quite a crowd got together today Sat 17, 2009 in Cambridge, UK to show 
their solidarity with people in Gaza, and opposition to the Israeli 
bombing and invasion. The vigil was given permission to march around 
town after a short negotiation with the police.




http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/418975.html

Massive Gaza Solidarity protest in Cambridge. Pt 1
Cameraboy. | 18.01.2009 00:13 | Anti-militarism | Palestine | Cambridge 
| World
The biggest demonstrations to be seen in Cambridge for years happened 
today (17-01-2009), with approximately 1,000 people in attendance, 
letting their disgust at the massacre in Gaza be known to the world.

The pictures below appear in chronological order.
After some delay (and a public vote), it was decided to do a march 
around town, to wake up the other Saturday shoppers and remind them 
there's a real world out there beyond The Grand Arcade.

This was a good natured but passionate demo, saying loud and clear that 
the people of Cambridge give a damn about their fellow Human Beings in Gaza.

The Police as usual snooped on protestors with their own cameras, as 
well as the usual blanket CCTV coverage around the city centre, with the 
camera on top The Guildhall being trained on the action for the whole 
afternoon. Plenty of footage to start a new file for them then.

Nice to know they care.

This protest comes on the same day that the EDO factory in Brighton has 
been, erm, disabled by SmashEDO protestors, due to it being a factory 
where arms are manufactured and sent to Israel and other pointless 
warzones. There have also been further attacks on Starbucks Cafes today 
in Central London, due to their CEO Howard Schultz being a notoriously 
rabid Zionist.

Israel has also declared a *conditional* ceasefire, on the proviso that 
Hamas don't fire any more rockets into Israel. Funnily enough this 
ceasefire also happens to coincide with the end of the Bush era and the 
start of Barack Obama's inauguration process.

It will interesting to see what Israel does once Obama is sworn in.

I shall now let the pictures do the talking.
Cameraboy.






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/419099.html

Stop the Slaughter in Gaza - Lincoln Protest
Nick Parker | 18.01.2009 17:11 | Anti-militarism | Palestine | Terror 
War | Nottinghamshire
A review of the events leading up to and including the protest against 
the slaughter in Gaza that we organised in Lincoln. Also, some lessons 
for the future.

On Saturday 17th January, at least 150 people braved the cold to protest 
on Lincoln High Street against the ongoing brutality that is being 
inflicted by the Israeli Army upon the people of the Gaza Strip. The 
local Socialist Party branch, at short notice, made the audacious 
decision to call a demonstration and we gave ourselves just over a week 
to build for it. There had been a previous demonstration on January 3rd, 
which some Socialist Party members attended, which was organised by the 
local Mosque leaders. We only had one stall before the demonstration, 
but the 25 papers sold and over 60 petition signatories showed us that 
the issue of Gaza was a pressing one for many workers.

We produced 1,000 leaflets which did not mention any organisation simply 
to advertise our action and which had the basic demands "stop the 
slaughter in gaza", "end the blockade and occupation of Gaza", "let the 
Palestinian people decide their own future", and "no to war in the 
Middle East". We circulated these leaflets widely, going into pubs, 
takeaway restaurants (where we met several supportive Palestinian 
workers), in the university, the mosque and to passers-by on the High 
Street after work. We also contacted local councillors who agreed to 
attend and who were impressed by our initiative and the high degree of 
organisation we had shown.

Another smaller protest organised by university lecturers on the Tuesday 
before our protest received leaflets, at which many sympathisers who 
attended promised to join ours. The semi-active local trades' council 
also lent their support, although only after a controversial debate 
including a reactionary standpoint from a minority. We managed to build 
a loose coalition, of socialists, university lecturers, mosque leaders 
and trade unionists to mobilise the numbers, and this may be the basis 
on which to build a viable anti-war group locally. We felt that this 
coalition worked better at changing attitudes of the broader mass of the 
population than the previous protest, as we weren't seen as an 
exclusively Muslim group. There was some criticism of the chant 
"Allah-Akbar" (God Is Great) used by the Mosque leaders, which will need 
to be a point for a discussion in the future if this local movement can 
take on more flesh. It was seen by many non-Muslims to be something 
divisive that excluded them, which is unhelpful when trying to build a 
broad coalition.

On the day, there were speakers from a range of viewpoints. A rolling 
programme of speeches and chanting seemed to work well, and as chair I 
encouraged anyone to come up and say a few words. The diverse range of 
speakers allowed for some controversy (over pacifism, and the tactic of 
rocket attacks). This was understandable as we heard from Muslim 
community leaders, a Palestinian doctor who had lost 16 family members 
in the attacks, local councillors, as well as trade unionists and 
socialists, but this was no reason to hide our socialist convictions. 
Indeed, the final message that I put forward of an end to war, 
imperialism, poverty, conflict and exploitation - a socialist world - 
was received enthusiastically. In contrast to demonstrations in London, 
which have been disrupted by an aggressive police force, we co-operated 
well with the police. There was 1 arrest - a fascist who was taken into 
custody for refusing to stop openly photographing the men, women and 
children on the demonstration.

All in all, a really great demonstration of solidarity by Lincolnites 
with ordinary people in Gaza. Hopefully, we can build on this and 
develop a thriving and vibrant anti-war movement locally. This could 
encourage the next generation to become politically active and to 
inspire young people that by mass campaigns, we can achieve not just an 
end to bloody wars or racist hatred, but we can change the world and 
have a socialist society based on human need not private profit.
Nick Parker
e-mail: nicktparker at gmail.com





http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/419100.html

Swindon protest for Gaza 17 Jan 2009 – videos
Simon | 18.01.2009 17:28 | Anti-militarism | Palestine
Between 250 and 300 people assembled in Wharf Green in the centre of 
Swindon yesterday for the largest anti-war protest seen in Swindon since 
the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

A handful of hi-viz jacketed symbols of authority, consisting of a 
mixture of police officers, PCSOs and private inSwindon security guards, 
kept a watchful eye on proceedings from a distance. They were not needed 
in the end as the event passed off entirely peacefully.

An assortment of politicians and activists from across the political 
spectrum addressed the assembly, and were filmed by yours truly in order 
to show to the people of Gaza (when they have electricity anyway) and 
the warmongers in the Israeli government that the world is watching them.

Cllr Derique Montaut (Lab, Central): 
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=88W5xMHlVNg
Cllr Michael Dickinson (Cons, Freshbrook & Grange Park): 
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ_-squmEJM
Anne Snelgrove MP (Lab, Swindon South): 
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SuHoifDHdUw
Jenni Miles (Swindon Green Party): http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wmyv8U5dD4A
Pete Smith (National Union of Teachers): 
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YVDbHhdo1-g
Cllr Junab Ali (Lab, Central): http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=60wZue1sidA
Andy Newman (Swindon GMB): http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6fHQnXezAdY
Martin Wicks (Swindon TUC): http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=N2oup9SZh_E
Cllr Bob Wright (Lab, Central): http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SIE20JkG1XY

And the 10-minute edited highlights version, for sharing with friends 
who don’t want to watch all the speeches in full: 
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=37o7V0Ao4z0

After around forty minutes of speeches and two minutes of silence for 
the dead on both sides, the assembly dispersed as peacefully as it had 
arrived.

What’s coming up?

Stop the War Coalition have called a national demonstration in London 
for Saturday 24th January, assembling at BBC Broadcasting House for a 
march to Trafalgar square. Swindon peace activists are investigating 
transport options for this event. If you would like to join a coach 
(estimated cost £12 waged or £6 unwaged), or if there is no coach but 
you would like to travel with other protestors on the train (estimated 
cost £25 if a little ingenuity is used when buying the ticket) then 
please write to office [at] swindonstopwar dot org dot uk.

On Tuesday 27th January there will be a fundraising gig at the Beehive 
pub in Prospect Place, Swindon (behind the old Regents Circus college 
and up the hill a bit), to raise money for Medical Aid for Palestine. 
This event starts at 8pm and will feature Dub the Earth, The Sweet 
Plums, Natasha Griffiths and Stuart Rowe.
Simon





http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/419088.html

Muslim & Jewish women protest outside the BBC - Monday 19 Jan, 5:30-7 pm
Islamic Human Rights Commission & International Jewish Anti-Zionist 
Network | 18.01.2009 14:50 | Anti-militarism | Gender | Palestine | World
Muslim & Jewish women: Vigil & Speakout against slaughter in Gaza

Protest the BBC's reporting of the Gaza crisis. All women welcome.

Monday 19 January 2009, 5.30-7pm

BBC Broadcasting House Portland Place, London W1A 1AA



Muslim & Jewish women: Vigil & Speakout against slaughter in Gaza

Protest the BBC's reporting of the Gaza crisis.

All women welcome.



Monday 19 January 2009, 5.30-7pm

BBC Broadcasting House Portland Place,

London W1A 1AA

(near Oxford Circus)

link to map:

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=528887&y=181593&z=110&sv=528887,181593&st=OSGrid&lu=N&tl=~&ar=y&bi=~&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf


We have come together to spell out the truth about Occupied Palestine 
that the media, beginning with the BBC, refuses to report – about 
Zionist apartheid, women giving birth at checkpoints, the expulsions, 
the theft of land and resources, the imprisonment of children, the 
swimming pools in Zionist settlements filled by siphoning Palestinians’ 
drinking water. The BBC has not publicly complained that Israel is 
preventing their reporters from entering Gaza to witness the bombing and 
invasion firsthand. Neither does it report Jewish opposition to this 
Zionist slaughter of the innocents.

We are Muslim and Jewish women who are speaking out together against the 
Israeli slaughter and devastation in Gaza . We, like the whole world, 
are shocked by what we witness on our television screens, a small part 
of the horrendous truth. But we are not surprised by this horror. Israel 
has been driving Palestinians from their homes, killing and maiming 
women, children and men, bulldozing and bombing their infrastructure, 
since 1948 when the UN gave them permission to impose a Zionist state on 
Palestinian land.

No one works harder than the women in Occupied Palestine to keep family, 
neighbours and friends alive. In Gaza under the stress of shortages of 
the most basic necessities as a result of the blockade -- endorsed by 
the EU -- women under bombardment and invasion must watch their babies 
being killed and maimed. This is the most powerful indictment of Israeli 
arrogant racist and sexist murder.

We must spell out how, to justify the US/Israeli war against the people 
of the Middle East, the UK has launched a racist war against Muslims in 
Britain .

Therefore we Muslim and Jewish women are coming together to hold a vigil 
and speakout. Women will finally tell their story of what they have to 
do and undergo to try to preserve life and to resist occupation and 
genocide.

In every society we women are the carers of the human race. Our work is 
human survival. Let us exercise this power to help stop Israel ’s war 
against Palestine .


This event is organised by:


* The Islamic Human Rights Commission

info at ihrc.org (44) 20 8904 4222 www.ihrc.org



* International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network

uk at ijsn.net (44) 20 7209 4751 www.ijsn.net
Islamic Human Rights Commission & International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network
Homepage: http://www.ihrc.org.uk/show.php?id=3901
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/419042.html

Photos from protest outside Lloyds TSB in Edinburgh.
Paul O'Hanlon | 18.01.2009 10:45 | Anti-militarism | Anti-racism | 
Palestine | World
Here are 8 photos from the demo outside Lloyds TSB in Edinburgh on 
Saturday 17th January 2009. There are links to reports of protests 
around the country.
There was a lively and visible protest outside the Hanover Street branch 
of Lloyds TSB in Edinburgh on Saturday 17th January 2009. 8 photos are 
attached – courtesy of Mr Tom McVitie.

The bank, which has withdrawn banking facilities to the charity whose 
main work is to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, links 
Interpal with global terrorism.

On November 12, Interpal received notification from their bank, the 
Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB), that Lloyds TSB (their clearing bank) has 
served notice on IBB to cease all dealings with Interpal. Clearing banks 
are responsible for the processing of all financial transactions and 
Lloyds TSB is one of the 4 clearing banks in the UK, which all high 
street banks must work through. The notice comes into effect on 8 
December 2008 (date subsequently revised to 30 January 2009) and has the 
potential to force Interpal to cease operations early next month.

FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

Here are photos of a demo outside Lloyds TSB in Bristol:
http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/689615

Lloyds TSB in Bristol closed by protesters! :
http://suspectpaki.com/2009/01/17/lloyds-tsb-in-bristol-closed-by-protesters/

Here is a photo of a protest outside Lloyds TSB in Newcastle upon Tyne:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25424557@N04/3203854451/

Protest outside Lloyds TSB St Vincent Street, Glasgow;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laura-elizabeth/3170656647/

 From Bath, Somerset - Bank shuts in Bath Gaza protest:
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/Bank-shuts-Bath-Gaza-protest/article-623051-detail/article.html

Lloyds TSB Trample UK Registered Palestinian Charity:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417700.html?c=on#c212363



Paul O'Hanlon
e-mail: o_hanlon at hotmail.com







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/418670.html

Newcastle BBC Protest - The place to have been on Thursday evening!!!
gaza solidarity | 15.01.2009 21:59 | Culture | Other Press | Palestine
This evening over 50 people gathered outside the BBC in Newcastle to 
demonstration against the BBC's coverage of the Gaza conflict and to an 
end to the Israeli onslaught in Gaza.

25 Students and Lecturers from Newcastle University met outside the 
Students' Union to march up to the BBC. With a foghorn, megaphone and 
placards a long procession marched up to the BBC chanting and shouting 
and getting a lot of support from the public.

When the student/lecturer march reached the BBC there was another 30 
people outside the BBC. The protest then moved forward to the entrance 
of the building where a sit down protest then took place. Security were 
rushing round behind the scenes as the police came and went. There were 
a few speakers including speakers from the Newcastle Trade Council, 
Newcastle Uni Lib Dem Society and Socialist Worker Student Society.

The protest then continued until the end of the local news bulletin, 
throughout which as much noise was made as possible.

FURTHER PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN EVENTS IN NEWCASTLE...
Rally on Saturday 17/01/09 at Monument from 12noon
Protest outside the Labour Party Dinner hosted by David Miliband and 
with special guest, defence secretary John Hutton. Friday 23/01/09 Meet 
6pm Chicester Metro
gaza solidarity







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417446.html

Photos: Lobby of Sheffield Council to protest against the massacres in Gaza
underclassrising.net | 07.01.2009 15:24 | Sheffield
More Photos: Lobby of Sheffield Council to protest against the massacres 
in Gaza







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/416518.html

Manchester Gaza demonstration, noon Saturday 3rd Jan
Gaza solidarity | 31.12.2008 11:50 | Anti-militarism | Palestine | 
Terror War | Manchester
Details of demonstration against the atrocities in Gaza, this Saturday 
3rd Jan, noon
Gaza protest leaflet - application/pdf 291K

Saturday 3rd January
Assemble: 12 noon
All Saints Park
Oxford Road/Cavendish Road
Manchester
March through city centre to Albert Square

http://www.mancsagainsttanks.org/resources/Gaza_protest_030109.pdf
Gaza solidarity
Homepage: http://www.freegaza.org






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/416514.html

Liverpool Gaza demonstrations
Gaza demos | 31.12.2008 10:16 | Anti-militarism | Palestine | Terror War 
| Liverpool
Vigil and protest dates in Liverpool

Demonstrations and vigils have been organised by groups up and down the 
country to protest the insane assault by Israel on the refugee 
population of Gaza. Liverpool Friends of Palestine invite you to the two 
following events. Please invite family/friends if you can. If you cannot 
attend, please forward information to other contacts, blogs etc.
Bring Palestine flags/posters/banners to both events:

PEACE VIGIL ON GAZA
Wed. 31st. Dec. 2-4 pm
Top of Church St.
(Just up from Christmas tree)
Please bring candles, in jars for safety, if you have them.

Demonstration to protest Israeli Assault on Gaza
Saturday 3rd January 12-2.30pm
St Lukes Church opposite Bold St
Walk from St Lukes along Renshaw St to St Georges Hall
Gaza demos
Homepage: http://www.freegaza.org






http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/relative-of-israeli-air-strike-victims-joins-demonstration-14122897.html?r=RSS

Relative of Israeli air strike victims joins demonstration
Monday, 29 December 2008
A relative of five young girls killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza 
joined one of the demonstrations held across Britain today in protest 
against the bombings.
Mohammed Balousha, 30, said his cousins, aged from just two weeks old to 
14, lost their lives when Israel's forces targeted a mosque near their 
home in Jabalya, one of the territory's largest refugee camps.
He was relayed the news last night in a phone call with his brother, who 
is in Gaza.
Speaking at the demonstration in Birmingham city centre, Mr Balousha 
said: "The Israelis were bombing a mosque near the house and the house 
was destroyed.
"We saw pictures on Palestine television of them lifting one of the 
surviving girls off the rubble and beneath her were some of her younger 
sisters, who had died.
"I think they were asleep at the time. It's awful."
He said the girls, who were second cousins, were members of the Balousha 
family. They included Sama, four, and 14-year-old Samar.
The Birmingham protest lasted for around 90 minutes and attracted up to 
700 people, said organisers. West Midlands Police estimated the figure 
was closer to 200.
Protesters chanted "Free, Free Palestine" and "Down, Down Israel" as 
sales shoppers watched. Banners carried the messages "Stop Israeli 
Terrorism" and "Stop Israeli Crimes".
Ali Jafai, 26, who held aloft an effigy of a blood-soaked victim of the 
strikes, said: "It really is bad what's happening in Gaza and the world 
is just watching. We are looking for peace."
Birmingham University engineering student Ali Afana, 25, has lived most 
of his life in Gaza. He said: "It's a disaster for the whole world. I 
don't think Israel will stop now. They will continue attacking Gaza.
"I am very worried for my family in Gaza. I do not know if they are 
alive or not."
Manzoor Sadaq, from Aston, Birmingham, said he spent seven years in the 
Gaza Strip, carrying out humanitarian work.
"Innocent Palestinians are being killed by an occupying force and the 
whole world is doing nothing about it," he said.
The "vigil" in Birmingham was organised by the Midlands Palestinian 
Community Association (MPCA) and the West Midlands Palestine Solidarity 
Campaign.
MPCA chairman Kamel Hawwash said: "We condemn Israel's actions and call 
on the British Government to do the same and to call for an immediate 
end to the military operation in Gaza and for the unconditional lifting 
of the siege."







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417060.html

Speech delivered by anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews at the Gaza protest in 
London
Neturei Karta | 03.01.2009 23:53 | Anti-militarism | Anti-racism | 
Palestine | World
Throughout their history, the Zionists have resorted to intimidation, 
war, ethnic cleansing and state—sponsored terrorism to achieve their 
goals. But among this movement's greatest crimes, is that it has claimed 
to carry out these nefarious actions in the name of holiness, in the 
name of the Almighty, in the name of Judaism and the Jewish people !!
The following speech was delivered by Anti Zionist Orthodox Jews at the 
"Emergency Protest to Stop the Massacre in Gaza" rally, Rockefeller 
Center, New York City, December 27, 2008, 2.00 PM and again at a Protest 
in London on December 28, 2008

-----------------------

(This speech was originally delivered in Durban, South Africa by Rabbi Y 
D Weiss)


May our words be pleasing to the Creator and cause His Great Name to be 
sanctified.

Assalaam Aleikhum:

The world stands aghast as the atrocities being committed by the Zionist 
regime in Gaza, becomes known in ever greater and shocking detail.

Mere words are insufficient to express the pain that all mankind feels 
at the plight of the Gaza and Palestinian people.

For over one hundred years, they have been subject to a carefully 
conceived plan, to drive them from their homes and their land.

Throughout their history, the Zionists have resorted to intimidation, 
war, ethnic cleansing and state—sponsored terrorism to achieve their goals.

This is, has been and continues to be, the criminal agenda of the 
Zionist movement. But among this movement's greatest crimes, is that it 
has claimed to carry out these nefarious actions in the name of 
holiness, in the name of the

Almighty, in the name of Judaism and the Jewish people !!

This is a wicked and monstrous lie !!

It is a desecration of our religion !!

Judaism forbids and rejects Zionism and the existence of the State of 
"Israel". We have been expressly commanded by the Almighty that we are 
forbidden to have our own sovereignty in this heavenly decreed exile, we 
are also forbidden to rebel against any nation. Torah believing Jews, 
under the leadership of the most esteemed rabbis of the 20th century 
have always opposed and fought against Zionism and ultimately the State 
of "Israel".

Unfortunately in recent years the Zionists have succeed in seducing and 
co—opting members of the religious community and some rabbis into 
support of not allowing the return of the rightful owners, the 
Palestinian people, to their land, by fear mongering, by appealing to 
their worst fears, that there is a religious conflict and that the Arabs 
always have had an ingrained hate for the Jews. Especially, they claim, 
that because of the many years of the existence of the State of 
"Israel", if the Palestinians where to return to their land, they would 
massacre the Jews, may the Almighty protect us.

Anyone familiar with the ploys and techniques of the Zionist State is 
aware of this fact.

Before the advent of Zionism, Muslims and Christian, Arabs and Jews, 
lived peacefully together in the Holy Land, as in all the Muslim lands, 
— Ask your grandparents! — They remember those peaceful days! And in 
fact it is here the opportune time to thank all the Muslim countries for 
their extraordinary friendship, hospitality and safe haven that they 
have provided to the Jewish people throughout the ages!

The Zionists rely on the Bible, the Torah, for their imaginary right to 
ethnically cleanse the Palestinian people and to subjugate them. This is 
a pathetic joke! The Zionists have always been heretics and rejected all 
the fundamental tenets of our faith, and yet they have the nerve, the 
arrogance, the audacity, the chutzpa, to pretend to base their behavior 
on our holy Torah.

We know what our holy writings and our great rabbis have taught us — 
that we are forbidden to subjugate or oppress anyone or to desecrate the 
holiness of the Holy Land with paths of violence, ethnic cleansing, 
discrimination and military power. Our religion teaches justice. It 
teaches peace. It teaches compassion. In fact, the greatest and ultimate 
hope and prayer of the Jewish people is, that when the Messiah comes 
that then "Nation shall no longer lift up sword against nation, and they 
will make war no more." All nations will serve God together in peace.

To the governments of the world, it is not through your support of the 
Zionist regime — the State of "Israel", that the Jewish people are being 
helped! On the contrary, this tragic historical mistake has led to the 
killing of Arabs and Jews alike. The governments of the great powers, by 
supporting the State of "Israel" are not only harming the Palestinian 
people but they are also unwittingly contributing to the growth of 
hostility towards Jews worldwide!

To our Jewish brethren, we beg! Do not be intimidated by ruthless 
Zionist bullying and violence!! — Proclaim loudly and clearly your 
outrage, pain and sympathy for the people of Gaza and that those who 
show contempt for the Torah, the teachings of our rabbis, and disregard 
the ethical and moral basics of our faith, have no right to speak on 
behalf of the Jewish People or Judaism!

We must tell the world that self rule, sovereignty and ALL the rights of 
the Palestinian people, must be restored throughout historic Palestine! 
This is a requirement of Jewish ethics and values! Jewish justice 
demands the return of the Palestinian refugees to their homes, towns, 
villages and cities throughout Palestine! Tell the world, loudly and 
clearly, that you support Palestinian statehood over the ENTIRE Holy 
Land —— not despite your Jewish identity, but because of it.

To our Islamic brethren – let us speak up for the people of Gaza and 
please do not judge the Jewish faith or its people, on the basis of this 
passing lunacy of Zionism. The Jews have always been your friends and 
cousins. Do not allow your understandable anger to be directed at those 
who are innocent of wrongdoing, regardless of whether they reside in 
Occupied Palestine, Europe, or anywhere around the globe.

Together, people of all nations, may we be worthy, with God's help, 
speedily and peacefully, without further suffering and bloodshed of 
anyone, be it Arab or Jew, to witness the peaceful end of the Zionist 
occupation over every inch of Palestine.
And may we yet merit to see, in the very near future, the revelation of 
the One God, over the entire world, with all mankind in His servitude, 
in joyous brotherhood.
AMEN

Let's Proclaim Together:

FREE GAZA – FREE PALESTINE

JUDAISM YES ZIONISM NO !
Neturei Karta
Homepage: http://www.nkusa.org/activities/Speeches/20081227.cfm







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417049.html

Report of Emergency Protest in Newcastle ‘Stop the Massacre in Gaza’
Revolutionary Communist Group/Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! | 
03.01.2009 23:16 | Palestine
Rally held at Grey's Monument, Newcastle upon Tyne, in solidarity with 
the people of Palestine and their resistance and to end the occupation 
of Palestine and the siege on Gaza.
On Saturday 3rd January 2009 there was a rally held at Grey’s Monument 
in solidarity with the people of Palestine, against the occupation and 
the siege on Gaza. It was organized by individual Palestinian people in 
Newcastle, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Stop the War Coalition 
and the Revolutionary Communist Group/Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!

It was attended by around 400-500 people from 12-2pm and remained 
vibrant throughout. On the platform there were speakers from the 
Palestinian community, the PSC, the University Mosque and FRFI.

The FRFI speaker explained why it was fitting that a celebration of 
Cuban resistance, originally planned from 12-4, made way for such an 
urgent demonstration of solidarity with Palestine, highlighting Cuba's 
active solidarity with the Palestinian cause and their shared struggle 
against imperialism. She compared the solidarity shown by socialist Cuba 
to the role played by Britain as an imperialist country: 'While 
socialist Cuba exports doctors and teachers, capitalist Britain exports 
instruments of repression'. She went on to emphasize that 'British 
imperialism has consistently colluded with Zionist terror throughout the 
years of Intifada and that Israel could not survive without the support 
of US and British imperialism'. The speech ended with a call to support 
the third Palestinian intifada called by Hamas from within the heartland 
of imperialist Britain, by getting out on the streets and targeting key 
links in the chain of support from Britain to Israel, like Marks and 
Spencer, Britain's biggest corporate sponsor of Israel and the Labour 
Party, which has always been a racist, imperialist party and which has 
supported Zionism since its 1944 conference called for the establishment 
of a Jewish state in Palestine.

There was then an open mic session where speeches were interspersed with 
chants of ‘Victory to the Intifada!’ ‘Free, Free Palestine!’ ‘1,2,3,4 
Occupation No More! 5,6,7,8 Israel is an Apartheid State!’ etc.

It was also highlighted that, although there was a massive turnout and 
it was an inspirational event, this would not change the situation in 
Palestine and had to be the start of a movement on the streets of 
Newcastle putting pressure on the British government.

So there will be a public forum on Gaza and action we can take in 
Newcastle on Tuesday 6th January, 7-9pm at the Culture Café (above Get 
Stuffed takeaway), Mary’s Place (near Haymarket metro), Newcastle hosted 
by FRFI. All groups and individuals welcome.

There will also be an organizing meeting held by the PSC and Stop the 
War on Wednesday 7th January, at Muslim Welfare House, meeting at 6.30pm 
outside Mark Toney’s near Haymarket metro, Newcastle.
Revolutionary Communist Group/Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!
e-mail: frfinortheast at googlemail.com
Homepage: http://www.revolutionarycommunist.org







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/416934.html

Lancaster Gaza Solidarity Protest Sat 3rd Jan
Lancaster Solidarity with Gaza | 03.01.2009 18:16 | Manchester
All around the world people are taking to the streets in spontaneous 
outrage against the Israeli state massacre of people in Gaza. In the 
small northwest English city of Lancaster, people also made their own 
protest...
These photo's show the hastily organised protest by people in Lancaster 
on Sat 3rd Jan. Lancaster is a small city in the northwest of England. 
The protest was attended by local people of many different backgrounds, 
and united local Jews, Muslims, Christians, Socialists, anarchists, 
Greens, Trades Unionists, Gays, working people, students and Saturday 
shoppers! This is just the start. Israel must stop its violent 
oppression of the Palestinian people.
Lancaster Solidarity with Gaza






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/416617.html

EDO profits from Gaza massacre. Protest!‏
Smash EDO | 01.01.2009 20:35 | Anti-militarism | Palestine | South Coast
ITT/EDO-MBM make components for the Israeli F16's which are bombing 
Palestinians in Gaza as we speak. Demonstrations against these 
atrocities are taking place all week across the country -join them.

If you are in Brighton there is a demo -called by a broad coalition of 
Brighton anti-war groups- on Saturday the 3rd, 12.30,Churchill Square. 
Come and show your outrage at Israel's EDO backed war crimes! Against 
the war profiteers, for the people of Gaza -wherever you are.
Smash EDO
e-mail: smashedo at riseup.net
Homepage: http://www.smashedo.org.uk







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/418015.html

Young Jew Sings Protest to Chief Rabbi, Gets Arrested
Dovid | 11.01.2009 20:27 | Anti-militarism | Palestine | World
LONDON - A young Jewish man was arrested today after singing at the 
Chief Rabbi of GB, Jonathan Sacks, during his speech at today's End 
Hamas Terror (pro-Israel) rally.

Dovid Von Neumann stood up on the ridge of a Trafalgar Square fountain 
and sung the well known child's Chanukah song 'Sevivon sov sov sov.' 
[Spinning-top, spin spin spin] He was pushed into the iced fountain by 
members of the demonstration and was wrestled into police custody by 
special Jewish security guards.

Whilst the ongoing Israeli bombing of Gaza began during the festival of 
Chanukah, Jewish children around the world received the traditional gift 
of a four sided spinning-top (sevivon in Hebrew, driedel in Yiddish). 
Jewish children play a betting game on whichever side the sevivon should 
land on. Today these are mostly made from plastic; once upon a time they 
were cast in lead - hence Operation Cast Lead, the name given by Israel 
to its current Gaza incursion.

Dovid explains:

"I wished to highlight the insidiousness of how the current Israeli 
invasion into Gaza was named after a child's toy made from a highly 
toxic material, lead, and how Palestinian children have been at the 
mercy of such randomly falling deathly devices. Houndreds of children in 
Gaza have been killed by indirect attack, like flying shrapnel or 
inadequate medical resources, whilst many have died through direct 
attack. It's as if Israel had the lead sevivon in mind as a metaphorical 
present to Palestinian children."

Through his red megaphone, Dovid also accused Rabbi Sacks of being 
unrepresentative of the Jewish community in his claims that British Jews 
supported Israel's current military action.

As he was being grabbed by a Jewish security guard inside the 
semi-frozen Trafalgar Square fountain, Dovid was seen kissing the guard 
on each cheek, a traditional way of greeting another Jew. Nevertheless 
the guard snapped his megaphone in half and pulled him to the crowd, who 
assisted to drag him to the pavement. Dovid was screaming "Ani gam 
Yehudi! "[I'm also Jewish] but he was nevertheless handcuffed and 
carried away by Police. The on looking crowd, mostly Jewish and Hebrew 
speaking, was left quite shocked.

Dovid, 25, was held for a number of hours by Metropolitan Police until 
the day's other demonstrations were over. He was released without charge.
Dovid







http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Gaza-protesters-march-through-Capital.4864142.jp

Gaza protesters march through Capital

Published Date: 10 January 2009
THOUSANDS of protestors marched through the Capital to demonstrate 
against the continued conflict in Gaza.
Police said about 4,000 people attended the protest but organisers put 
the number at 10,000.

Supporters arrived by bus and train from across Scotland to take part.

And they said the support for the rally, along with the marches held in 
other parts of the UK and around the world in cities including Los 
Angeles, should leave politicians in no doubt about the concern the 
ongoing Israeli military action has caused.

At the assembly point on East Market Street, placards demanding a stop 
to the war in Gaza, freedom for Palestine and an end to the Israeli 
blockade were handed out to the growing crowd.

Organisers had also brought along spare shoes for people, and the 
protestors, also waving banners proclaiming George Bush as the "World's 
Number 1 Terrorist", marched first to the US Embassy, which was 
bombarded with shoes and red paint as a demonstration to America's 
perceived failure to back a peace agreement.

Three police officers sustained minor injuries.







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417725.html

GAZA PROTEST in Wrexham
Andrew McCoy | 10.01.2009 15:49 | Palestine | Liverpool | Manchester
Demonstrators in Wrexham Justice and Peace Forum, call for end to 
Israeli Invasion of Gaza !
More than 70 people braved sub-zero temperatures in Wrexham on Saturday 
to protest against the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
The last-minute protest organised by Wrexham Peace and Justice Forums 
heard from Steve Ryan, of the PCS union, and Elfed ap Nefydd, a local 
peace activist. Councillor Marc Jones, of Plaid Cymru, chaired the 
meeting and also read out messages of solidarity from Jill Evans MEP and 
Janet Ryder, the North Wales AM. They were united in seeking an end to 
the violence on both sides, calling the 800 deaths suffered in the 
invasion totally disproportionate.
Steve Ryan urged Wrexham people to join a boycott of Israeli goods 
including fruit, vegetables and herbs. More than half Israel's exports 
are to the UK and many are available in local supermarkets. Some 
activists went on from the protest to make their opposition to Israeli 
goods being sold locally known outside supermarkets.
Andrew McCoy
e-mail: abmccoy at tiscali.co.uk






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417696.html

Manchester Palestine Protest Tomorrow!
Palestine Solidarity Campaign Manchester | 10.01.2009 12:49 | 
Anti-militarism | Palestine | Terror War | Liverpool | Manchester
Protest! Sunday 11th Jan, 11 AM, Albert Square, Manchester


Manchester Palestine Solidarity Campaign are organising an Occupation of 
Albert Sq, outside of Manchesters Town Hall at 11 am on Sunday 11th January.

They are asking that people, Trade Unions, Peace Groups and Campaigns 
bring banners, leaflets and flags as they plan to take the whole square 
over.

It is also asked that people circulate this information.

Thank You
Palestine Solidarity Campaign Manchester






http://www.revolutionarycommunist.org/vti/vtinews.html

Victory to the Intifada News!
Saturday 17 January - Victory to the Intifada! Dundee!
PUBLIC REPORT OF POLICE HARRASSMENT AND CHARGING OF FIGHT RACISM! FIGHT 
IMPERIALISM! STREET PROTEST.

The day had started very well with a militant, angry and noisy protest 
march against Israel’s attack on Gaza going into Dundee’s city centre. 
After the rally, activists from Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism, one of 
whom had spoken at the event, set up a protest stall in the Murraygate 
to continue building support for the people of Gaza and Palestine.

Once again the city centre ambassadors demanded we remove our stall as 
we did not have permission or insurance. Once again we told them no! The 
police were called this time and proceeded to threaten the comrades with 
Breach of the Peace or causing alarm. It was suggested they go and 
consult their law books and superior officers as we were not backing 
down to such contrived charges. They appeared to accept this but 
returned an hour later with a van and told those present that this time 
they had come up with obstruction as a charge. Third time lucky for them 
maybe but the comrades then began speaking to the gathering crowds 
explaining what the police were doing and asking them to stay around as 
witnesses, sign the petitions and support political rights. People were 
told to check out the You Tube videos about the cops in Liverpool trying 
to close down protest there and to check out Dundee Arrest on You Tube 
where a comrade was violently assaulted and arrested by Tayside police 
for handing out leaflets about Cuba. Speakers explained that when people 
start to protest here about unemployment, low wages and rent rises that 
the same cops would be out attacking their rights too. We were speaking 
out for the people of Gaza who were dying at that moment and we would 
not allow the police to silence us.

Talk about obstruction! - by now there was 1 police van and 100 people 
prepared to listen to speeches and chants about free speech. Comrades 
from the Socialist Workers Party joined the protest having been harassed 
for doing political work for Gaza that week.

By now the police action was a very public affair and they were not 
looking so comfortable. They charged Michael with obstruction under 
Section 53 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. As Michael 
explained to the youth present this was one of the hated Margaret 
Thatcher’s laws and it was no surprise that her favourite bobbies were 
digging it up now!

Michael was threatened with arrest if the stall was not immediately 
removed and after consulting with the comrades and the crowds it was 
decided to call a rally in the Murraygate at 12 the following Saturday 
to protest the harassment and charges.

We call on everyone to openly and publicly challenge this attack on 
democratic and political rights. Get up! Stand Up! Stand Up For Your Rights!
DEFEND DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS!
NO TO POLICE INTERFERENCE!
RALLY AT MURRAYGATE 12 NOON DUNDEE SATURDAY 24.01.09
Contact the campaign on frfiscotland at yahoo.co.uk.
VENCEREMOS!
WE SHALL WIN!
Supporters of the Revolutionary Communist Group and its newspaper Fight 
Racism! Fight Imperialism! joined over 400 other people in Newcastle to 
demonstrate against the Israeli attacks on Gaza and to demand freedom 
for Palestine at Grey's Monument.

The demonstration was initiated by Palestinians living in Newcastle and 
supported by a range of organisations including Tyneside Palestine 
Solidarity Campaign, Tyneside Stop the War Campaign, University Friends 
of Palestine, Newcastle University Islamic Society, Fight Racism! Fight 
Imperialism!/ Revolutionary Communist Group, Socialist Workers Party, 
Socialist Party and a number of community groups.

The opening speaker, from the Palestinian community, emphasised the need 
for absolute solidarity with the Palestinian right to resistance in 
their struggle for self determination against colonial occupation. This 
was followed by a speaker from University Friends of Palestine, who 
pointed out that Israel had absolutely no interest in recognizing an 
independent Palestinian state

The FRFI speaker explained why it was fitting that a celebration of 
Cuban resistance, originally planned from 12-4, made way for such an 
urgent demonstration of solidarity with Palestine, highlighting Cuba's 
active solidarity with the Palestinian cause and their shared struggle 
against imperialism. She compared the solidarity shown by socialist Cuba 
to the role played by Britain as an imperialist country: 'While 
socialist Cuba exports doctors and teachers, capitalist Britain exports 
instruments of repression'. She went on to emphasize that 'British 
imperialism has consistently colluded with Zionist terror throughout the 
years of Intifada and that Israel could not survive without the support 
of US and British imperialism'. The speaker received a spontaneous round 
of applause when she said: "Israel could not survive without the support 
of US and British imperialism. In order to fight the occupation of 
Palestine we need to fight British imperialism." The speech ended with a 
call to support the third Palestinian intifada called by Hamas from 
within the heartland of imperialist Britain, by getting out on the 
streets and targeting key links in the chain of support from Britain to 
Israel, like Marks and Spencer, Britain's biggest corporate sponsor of 
Israel and the Labour Party, which has always been a racist, imperialist 
party and which has supported Zionism since its 1944 conference called 
for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. There followed an 
open mic session where speeches were interspersed with chants of 
'Victory to the Intifada!' 'Free, Free Palestine!' '1,2,3,4 Occupation 
No More! 5,6,7,8 Israel is an Apartheid State!' etc.

It was also highlighted that, although there was a massive turnout and 
it was an inspirational event, one demonstration alone would not change 
the situation in Palestine and had to be the start of a movement on the 
streets of Newcastle to demand an end to all British support for Israel.

There will be a public forum on Gaza and action we can take in Newcastle 
on Tuesday 6th January, 7-9pm at the Culture Café (above Get Stuffed 
takeaway), Mary's Place (near Haymarket metro), Newcastle hosted by 
FRFI. All groups and individuals welcome.

Victory to the third intifada! Free Palestine! Following the spontaneous 
demonstrations of last Sunday, over 2,000 people marched in Glasgow to 
proclaim solidarity with the people of Gaza and express their anger over 
Zionist war crimes in Palestine. The march was led by the flags of 
Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq and those of the resistance forces Hamas and 
Hizbullah. Called by Stop the War Coalition and supported by the 
Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Glasgow Palestine Human Rights 
Campaign and many other groups including the local Lebanese community, 
the march made its way through Glasgow city centre. Loud and spirited, 
many Muslim men, women and children, working class football fans, 
families, politicians and angry individuals chanted and shouted for a 
free Palestine, and RCG comrades were amongst those leading the calls of 
“No justice, no peace” and “Victory to the Intifada!”.

The end rally saw the crowd treated to the usual array of bourgeois 
politicians – Labour, Lib Dem and SNP – issue their hollow calls of 
condemnation along with trade union bureaucrats and their prevaricating 
explanations of a “possible” boycott of Israel. A young local Lebanese 
girl offered a moving plea for everyone to remember the brutality 
greeting the children of Gaza as they awoke to the New Year; 
nonetheless, just like the brave population of southern Lebanon did in 
2006, the Palestinians would survive and resist. A Palestinian woman 
from Gaza, and a survivor of the Sabra massacre, also issued an 
emotional call for solidarity.

The spirit and militancy of the majority on the march, especially 
amongst young people, could be sensed by the loud cheers which greeted 
any calls for solidarity with the resistance forces in Gaza, support 
rather than condemnation of Hamas and total isolation of the Zionist 
entity. RCG comrades spoke to many new faces in the crowd, selling 
copies of Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! and handing out leaflets for 
an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, with 
many interested to learn about the consistent support shown by the Cuban 
government for the Palestinian struggle.

Between two and three thousand demonstrators were said to be on the 
streets of Edinburgh at the same as the demo in Glasgow, and further 
protests are planned for Tuesday 6 December.

In the words of one protestor, “We are all Hamas!” The Victory to the 
Intifada (VTI) campaign in London kicked-off the new year with its 
weekly picket of Marks & Spencer, corporate sponsors of the state of 
Israel. Thousands of shoppers passing the M&S flagship store on Oxford 
street witnessed a large crowd of VTI supporters chanting, waving flags, 
handing out leaflets and petitioning against Israel’s occupation of 
Palestine and its barbaric slaughter of the people of Gaza. The picket, 
now entering its eighth year, takes place every Thursday, from 6-8pm, 
outside M&S Oxford street (Marble Arch end). All are welcome to attend. 
There are also pickets in Manchester and Newcastle on a regular basis. 
Come and join us to protest against Israel’s war crimes and in defence 
of the Palestinian people!
Sunday 29 December - Victory to the Intifada! London!
The RCG and supporters from Victory to the Intifada joined up to 1,000 
protesters gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in High Street 
Kensington, London, in a rapidly-mobilised response to the deadly 
escalation of attacks on Gaza by the Israeli military which have left 
nearly 300 dead, including children.

Despite early efforts by the police to stop protesters coming through, 
the demonstration closed most of High Street Kensington. Constant 
chanting demanded an end to the illegal occupation by Israel, an end to 
the attacks, freedom for Palestine and victory to the Intifada. At one 
point the demonstrators organised an impromptu march up the road before 
returning to the embassy gates.

Shortly after 4pm the police attempted to clear the road, organising a 
series of violent pushes that were met with resistance and shouts of 
‘Shame on you!’ Over the RCG’s ‘open mic’ megaphone, comrades denounced 
the role of the British Labour government in propping up Zionist state 
and the British police for defending its racist embassy.

The demonstration was organised by PSC, Palestine Return Centre (PRC), 
Palestinian Forum of Britain (PFB), British Muslim Initiative (BMI), 
Stop the War, Friends of al Aqsa, Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), 
Respect, Islamic Human Rights Commission. As the attacks on Gaza 
continue – attacks described by Ehud Barak as ‘only the beginning’ – and 
a land invasion of Gaza is threatened, another protest will be held 
today, Monday 29 December, at 4pm. Nearest tube High Street Kensington.

Victory to the Intifada will also be holding its regular protest outside 
Marks and Spencer – British corporate sponsor of Zionism – in Oxford 
Street on Thursday 1 January at 4pm. Join us to make your condemnation 
of Israel heard.

Boycott Israeli Goods Action - November 10
As part of The Fifth International Week of Action against Israel’s 
Apartheid Wall between 9 and 16 November 2007 (www.stopthewall.org), 
protesters held a rolling picket in London raising awareness of the 
Apartheid Wall and calling on the public to boycott Israeli goods.

The Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign and its popular 
committees have called on the world to protest against the illegal 
occupation of Palestine. In 2004 the International Court of Justice 
ruled that the Apartheid Wall is illegal. Despite this, the British 
government has continued to support Israel economically, politically and 
militarily. Join the movement to boycott Israeli Apartheid.

The protest was called by Victory to the Intifada and Fight Racism! 
Fight Imperialism!
Israel destroys Palestinian lives, livelihoods and homes daily, refuses 
to stop building its illegal apartheid wall, denies Palestinian refugees 
their right of return, grows produce and sets up industrial zones on 
stolen Palestinian land, and operates an apartheid, racist system 
against Palestinian people.

Meanwhile illegal Israeli settlements are continuing and growing, in 
defiance of international law. Already, 40% of the West Bank is taken up 
with Israeli infrastructure including settlements, outposts, roadblocks, 
checkpoints, military areas, nature reserves and the parts of the 
Apartheid Wall built so far. There are now 450,000 Israeli settlers in 
the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. In the last 20 years the 
settler population has increased by 150%.

29 September 2007 marked the seventh anniversary of the start of the 
second Intifada. In those seven years the Israeli Occupation Army has 
killed more than 4,600 Palestinians, including 967 children and has 
injured a further 32,000. In August 2007 alone, the Israeli Occupation 
Army killed 52 Palestinians, 12 of them children.

The rolling picket began at Marks & Spencer in Edgware Road. M&S is one 
of the biggest British corporate sponsors of Israel and the occupation 
of Palestine. Marks & Spencer is not just interested in trading with 
Israel for profit like other companies; it IS and ALWAYS has been a 
supporter of Israeli apartheid – ‘aiding the economic development of 
Israel is one of our main objectives’ (Marcus Sieff, M&S chairman, 
Management: The M&S Way, 1990) and sells food and clothing manufactured 
in colonial settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank Palestinian 
Territories.

The protest then moved on to Sainsbury’s in Marble Arch, calling for the 
public to boycott Israeli goods, and picketed Marks and Spencer’s 
flagship store on Oxford Street, using street theatre to demonstrate the 
reality of the daily brutal oppression Palestinian People face. We 
continued to Selfridges, which sells goods produced in Israel’s illegal 
settlements in the West Bank and Golan Heights. Under pressure from 
pro-Palestinian campaigners they initially withdrew these products from 
their shelves only to stock them again.

Finally a lively demonstration was held outside John Lewis because they 
sell Caterpillar products. Caterpillar’s armoured bulldozers have been 
used by the Israeli army for the destruction of thousands of Palestinian 
homes, schools, wells and olive groves, and have also been used in the 
construction of the Apartheid Wall.

The aim of the campaign to Boycott Israeli Goods is to raise awareness 
of the economic links between British business and Israeli Apartheid and 
build economic pressure on Israel to end its illegal occupation of 
Palestine. We aim to get people active on Britain's streets in 
solidarity with the Palestinian people and their national liberation 
struggle.

We call on the public to:

• Demand that British companies stop supporting Israel’s brutal 
occupation and apartheid by selling Israeli goods and goods made by 
companies directly involved in the destruction of Palestinian land, 
lives and livelihoods.

• Demand that the British Government stops supporting and funding 
Israeli racism.

• Join our campaign in support of the Palestinian Liberation Struggle. 
There is a demonstration every Thursday, 6 – 8 pm outside Marks & 
Spencer’s flagship store on Oxford Street (Marble Arch end), London. We 
urge everyone to boycott M&S as a focus of the boycott Israeli goods 
campaign in order to dent the profits of the British retailing company 
that has repeatedly stated their support for Israel and thus send a 
shock wave through the whole establishment.

End the Occupation of Palestine! Victory to the Intifada! Free all 
Palestinian Political Prisoners! Tear down the Apartheid Wall!

Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/416258.html

PROTEST SHEFFIELD Monday 29 December, 4pm, outside Town Hall
http://underclassrising.net/ | 29.12.2008 01:13 | Sheffield
Victory to the Intifada
ISRAEL, now you are doing the same genocide to Palestine that Hitler has 
done to you.You have killed to date 27.12.08 230 innocent civil people.

Do you think that you won't pay for this? One day all peoples of world 
will wake up and when they wake up they will destroy your state and the 
USA ,you trusted, on your heads which you built upon blood and betrayal 
People of Israel, stop your states fascism

Protests organised and supported by PSC, Palestine Return Centre (PRC), 
Palestinian Forum of Britain (PFB), British Muslim Initiative (BMI), 
Stop the War, Friends of al Aqsa, Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), 
Respect, Islamic Human Rights Commission, Association of the Palestinian 
Community in Britain (APC), the Israeli Commitee Against House 
Demolitions (ICAHD), Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods (JBIG), the 
International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN).

"What we think or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end of 
little consequence. The only thing of consequence is what we do"

John Ruskin 1819 1900
http://underclassrising.net/
e-mail: worldwarfreatriseupdotnet
Homepage: http://underclassrising.net/






http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/416239.html

Protest against Israeli Massacres of Palestinians
Paul | 28.12.2008 23:18 | Anti-militarism | Palestine | Repression | World
Edinburgh saw a protest of around 100 people by the Royal Academy of 
Scotland near the foot of the Mound in the space between East and West 
Princes Street gardens. Against a background of dozens of Palestinian 
flags, banners and placards read `Israel stop bombing Gaza`, Boycott to 
stop Israeli war crimes`, and `End Israeli war crimes`. Speakers 
included Kevin Connor and solidarity’s Willie Black.
11 photos from the day are attached.
Sunday December 28th saw a large number of demonstrations around the 
world against the Israeli onslaught on the Gaza strip.

Stop Israeli Massacres of Palestinians
Stop Israeli Genocide
Stop British Government Support for Israeli crimes
Demonstrate, Sunday 28th 4.30pm
- Glasgow: George Square
(Supported by MSPs Pauline McNeill & Sandra White, Scottish PSC, 
Scottish Friends of Palestine, Scotland Stop the War, Glasgow Central 
Mosque, Scottish Islamic Forum, Scottish Afghan Society, Lebanese 
Community in Scotland, Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign)
- Edinburgh: Foot of the Mound, Princes Street


Edinburgh saw a protest of around 100 people by the Royal Academy of 
Scotland near the foot of the Mound in the space between East and West 
Princes Street gardens. Against a background of dozens of Palestinian 
flags, banners and placards read `Israel stop bombing Gaza`, Boycott to 
stop Israeli war crimes`, and `End Israeli war crimes`. Speakers 
included Kevin Connor and solidarity’s Willie Black.
11 photos from the day are attached.


Scottish Palestine solidarity:
http://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/12/416311.html

Photos: Hundreds Protest in Sheffield Against Gaza Massacre - 29th December
Chris | 29.12.2008 19:03 | Palestine | Repression | Terror War | 
Sheffield | World
Photos from the protest outside Sheffield Town Hall on Monday 29th 
December 2008 against the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza by Israel.
There was a massive turnout at this protest -- hundreds of people.

There is to be another protest at noon on Saturday 3rd January 2009 
called by the Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) 
http://www.sheffieldpsc.org.uk/
Chris
Homepage: http://www.sheffieldpsc.org.uk/






http://www.loughboroughecho.net/news/national-news/2008/12/29/cities-protest-over-gaza-attacks-73871-22570111/

Cities protest over Gaza attacks
Dec 29 2008
Campaigners throughout Britain have organised emergency protests over 
the worsening situation in the Gaza Strip.
As Israeli air strikes on the Palestinian enclave continued for a third 
day, members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign were preparing to 
gather in towns and cities including London, Cardiff, Birmingham, 
Halifax and Sheffield.
Around 30 people in York held a silent vigil to raise awareness over 
what they termed the "dreadful massacre" of a suffering Palestinian 
population.
They encouraged passers-by to write to MPs and MEPs, and to call for 
human rights demands to be built into negotiations on an EU-Israel trade 
agreement currently being worked out.
One of the organisers of the vigil, Monica Wusteman, said the attacks 
were part of a deliberate move to win votes in the forthcoming Israeli 
elections.
"There are 300 Palestinians dead and the count is still soaring, and the 
Israelis have declared that they have no intention of stopping at the 
moment," she said. "This is a piece of Israeli electioneering - 
Palestinian rockets have been fired for years now. We knew this was 
going to happen, it has been scheduled to happen for some weeks now, 
because whoever can kill the most Palestinians is going to win the 
Israeli vote."
Organisers of a protest in Sheffield city centre were hopeful up to 200 
people would join them in their bid to remember civilians killed in the 
attacks.
Musheir El-Farra, who moved from Palestine to Britain 20 years ago, said 
he hoped the British protests would help to humanise the Palestinian 
victims of the conflict.
"The Israelis are not attacking military targets, as they claim," he 
said. "They are attacking civilians, in schools, in mosques, in 
hospitals and universities."
About 315 people have been killed in Gaza since air strikes began on 
Saturday. Most were reported to be members of Hamas security forces, 
although the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees said at 
least 51 civilians were dead.







http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/418895.html

Photos: Sheffield Gaza Protest - 17th January 2009
Chris | 17.01.2009 22:46 | Anti-militarism | Palestine | Terror War | 
Sheffield | World
There was another protest and march in Sheffield on Saturday 17th 
January 2009 in opposition to the ongoing massacre in Gaza.

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/418964.html

1000 Dead and Nothing Said - London protest against Gaza Killings
Peter Marshall | 17.01.2009 23:32 | Palestine | World
Around 5000 people attended a rally in Trafalgar Square this afternoon 
(Sat 17 Jan, 2009) to protest at the Israeli killings in Palestine and 
to demand an end to the attacks and reparations for the victims. 
Pictures Copyright (C) 2009 Peter Marshall, all rights reserved.
Over a thousand Palestinians have been killed in the past three weeks by 
Israeli attacks on Gaza including some 300 children - and attacks have 
included those on known UN installations where people were sheltering - 
with a top UN official today calling for war crime investigation into 
the shelling of a school. In the same time around 13 Israelis have also 
died, four of them killed by its own army.

So it was hardly surprising that Trafalgar Square was fairly full for 
today's rally against the Israeli attacks, with perhaps 5-10,000 people 
- although this was only a small fraction of the number at last week's 
national demonstration.

A few hours after the demonstration, news was released that Israel was 
to announce a ceasefire on its own terms. Unfortunately we can be sure 
that these terms will mean no justice for Palestine, welcome though what 
seems likely to be a temporary respite in the killings may be.

As I arrived - and as on so many occasions in this Square - Tony Benn 
was being announced and rightly given a huge welcome. One of the 
greatest political figures of the last 50 years, it's a national tragedy 
that while he has so often been right on major issues, governments have 
seldom if ever followed his lead.

Most of those attending listened to all the speakers with respect and 
applauded enthusiastically, though a small section of the crown 
attracted rather more than its share of press attention with its noisy 
animation and gestures such as burning Israeli flags and tearing up 
placards carrying pictures og George Bush (what will we do after Obama 
takes over next week?)

As well as political speeches from a wide range of speakers there were 
two contributions that particularly moved me. One was a very assured 
speech by an 11 year old Palestine girl, now living in Manchester, and 
another was the Palestinian singer Reem Kelani (who also grew up in 
Manchester) who led the crowd in singing a Palestinian song, written in 
the 1930s but since then appropriated by others, that she wants to 
reclaim for Palestine.

On the stone steps behind the speakers were a group of children all 
dressed in white robes marked with bloody red hand prints, keeping our 
minds on the children slaughtered in Gaza. After Kelani had sung, they 
came down from the plinth and went with a deputation to take a letter 
from the rally to Downing St, calling for an immediate ceasefire and 
reparations for the war damage inflicted by the Israeli attacks.

I went with them down Whitehall to Downing St, where police led them 
into a pen close to the gates. While a delegation of six, including 
Diane Abbott MP, Betty Hunter of the PSC and Lindsay German of Stop the 
War, took the letter into Downing St, the children posed for pictures, 
at first standing, and then lying on the ground as if the innocent 
victims of an Israeli attack; but these children were just playing dead.

More pictures on My London Diary shortly: 
http://mylondondiary.co.uk/2009/01/jan.htm#slaughter
Peter Marshall
e-mail: petermarshall at cix.co.uk
Homepage: http://mylondondiary.co.uk