MOSCOW – Thousands of people are rallying in downtown London on Saturday toexpress their solidarity with Palestinians amid escalatedIsraeli-Palestinian tensions, UK activist group Palestine SolidarityCampaign (PSC), which is one of the organizers of the NationalDemonstration for Palestine, said.
Tensions between Israel and Palestinians from the disputed Gaza Stripescalated last weekend, when hundreds of rockets were fired toward Israelfrom the Palestinian enclave, prompting the Israeli military to retaliate.The violence has claimed the lives of at least 25 Palestinians and fourIsraelis. A ceasefire went into force early on Monday.
“Thousands and thousands are gathered in Whitehall [in Central London]right now! What an incredible show of solidarity! The Palestinian peopleare not alone #ExistResistReturn #FreePalestine,” PSC wrote on Twitter.
Twitter and Facebook users have posted numerous photos capturing big crowdsof activists in London. Protesters are waving flags with such slogans as”Stop the War,” “End Israeli Occupation,” and “Boycott Israel.”
Over 2,200 Facebook users have registered for the National Demonstrationfor Palestine event, while over 6,100 users have indicated that they areinterested in it.
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“The Palestinian people need our solidarity more than ever, and are callingfor global protests to protect their collective rights. As Israel continuesto flout international law and violate human rights, there is aresponsibility on the global community to hold it to account and push foran end to the oppression of the Palestinian people,” PSC said on Facebook,calling on Londoners to join the rally.
Apart from PSC, Stop the War Coalition, Palestinian Forum in Britain,Friends of Al-Aqsa pro-Palestine organization and Muslim Association ofBritain have taken part in the organization of the rally. They aresupported by a number of trade unions, activist groups and human rightsorganizations.
For decades, Israel has been in conflict with Palestinians, who have beenseeking diplomatic recognition for their independent state on theterritories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which are partiallyoccupied by Israel, and the Gaza Strip. -Sputnik
