LONDON – UK Opposition party leader Jermmy Carboyn has lashed out at Israelover Gaza Kilkings. The killing and wounding of yet more unarmedPalestinian protesters yesterday by Israeli forces in Gaza is an outrage,”he told the crowd, adding that “firing live ammunition into crowds ofunarmed civilians is illegal and inhumane and cannot be tolerated.”
Late last month, Palestinians marched to the fence separating Gaza from theoccupied territories at the start of a six-week protest, dubbed “The GreatMarch of Return,” demanding the right to return for those driven out oftheir homeland.
The demonstrations turned violent after Israeli forces used tear gas andlive fire against the protesters.
On Friday, similar anti-occupation mass rallies hit Gaza, with Palestiniansburning tires and throwing stones at Israeli soldiers who responded withfiring live ammunition and tear gas.
Over 30 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military over the pastweek.
Corbyn told the crowd that Palestinians have “a right to protest againsttheir appalling conditions and the continuing blockade and occupation ofPalestinian land, and in support of their right to return to their homesand their right to self-determination.”
The opposition party leader also urged Prime Minister Theresa May tosupport the United Nation’s call for an independent internationalinvestigation into the killings.
“The UK Government must support the UN secretary-general’s call for anindependent international inquiry into the killing of protesters in Gazaand review the sale of arms that could be used in violation ofinternational law,” Corbyn added.
For the second consecutive week, the US blocked a UN Security Council(UNSC) statement calling for an investigation into recent killing.
Israel has tightened military presence on the Gaza fence, deploying armoredvehicles, back-up special forces and snipers. The regime’s forces have alsothe permission to open fire on unnamed Gazans.
The UK government, meanwhile, continues to approve millions of pounds worthof arms and weapons technology exports to Israel each year.