Spreading condemnation of Israeli murder spree

ABOVE - demonstration in Israel (photo from Eva Ferrero),
BELOW - and in New York (photo ©2008 Ronda Hauben)

More photos from New York demonstration:
http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=384520&rel_no=1


AS the Israeli military continues its murderous attack on Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, protest and anger is spreading. More than 300 people had been killed by today, and hundreds more injured, in the Israeli air raids which have hit refugee camps and streets crowded with children coming from school, and destroyed the Gaza university.

Besides the F16s and helicopter gunships, Israeli tanks were today reported on the border, ready for all-out war on what is after all a largely defenceless civilian population, already suffering the effects of 18 months siege. In Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert announced the call-up of reservists.

Not only is the scale of the Israeli aggression well out of proportion to the rocket attacks by small Palestinian groups which were given as pretext; it reflects the fact that all through the Gaza truce which Hamas had with Israel the Israeli Defence Forces (sic) were preparing war. The rocket attacks on Sderot were simply used to psyche up the Israeli public for war, and try to con a gullible world - with the help of politicians like Barack Obama, all too willing to be 'gulled'.
"Six months of secret planning - then Israel moves against Hamas"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/29/israel-attack-hamas-preparations-repercussions


The Israeli leaders have plainly counted on continued backing from the Western powers and acquiescence from Arab regimes, including Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. Israel's siege of Gaza was maintained with Egyptian participation on Gaza's southern border.

Despite the plan, demonstrations against the latest attack have taken place in Tel Aviv, where protestors marched on the Defence Ministry, and in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli troops fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters. A big demonstration is planned in Amman, Jordan's capital.

In London, police attacked demonstrators who had blocked Kensington High Street outside the well-guarded Israeli embassy on Sunday. There have also been demonstrations in Rome and Milan, with a further demonstration planned in Naples .

Even in New York, a small group of Israelis, supporters of groups like Anarchists Against the Wall, Breaking the Silence, and Combattants for Peace, managed to get together a demonstration which grew to 2,000 outside their country's consulate in downtown Manhattan, on Sunday. Now they are joining with Palestinians, Arab Americans and others for a bigger demonstration this weekend.

Here are some details of more demonstrations due in Britain and North America, starting today:

LONDON
Monday 29 December 4.00pm ­ 6.00pm
Protest opposite Israeli Embassy W8 - Kensington High Street. Nearest tube:
High Street Kensington. From station turn right. Organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign with support from both Muslim and Jewish groups.

BIRMINGHAM
Monday 29 December, 5.00 pm, outside Zavvi, Waterstones, High Street,
Birminham City Centre (near the bull in the Bull Ring Centre)

HALIFAX
Monday 29 December 4-5pm, outside Central Library

YORK
Monday 29 December 12 - 2pm St Sampsons Square, please come for all or part
of our vigil

SHEFFIELD
Monday 29 December, 4pm, outside Town Hall

BRADFORD
Monday 29 December 2pm, Centenary Square. We will provide leaflets please
bring placards, banners etc or bring with you marker pens and large size
paper.

Tuesday 30 Dec CARDIFF
12 to 1pm. Nye Bevan Statue, Queen Street

Saturday 3 Jan PORTSMOUTH
11am, Guildhall Square.
Organised by Portsmouth Network for a Just Settlement of the Arab-Israeli
Conflict, and Portsmouth Stop the War Coalition
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Los Angeles
Tuesday, December 30
4:30 pm
Israeli Consulate: 6380 Wilshire Blvd.
Contact: 213-251-1025, answerla@answerla. org

Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, December 30
4:30 pm
State Department: 22nd St & C St NW
Contact: 202-544-3389 x14, dc@answercoalition. org

San Francisco
Tuesday, December 30
5:00 pm
Israeli Consulate:456 Montgomery St.
Contact: 415-821-6545, answer@answersf. org

New York City
Tuesday, December 30
5:00 pm
Israeli Consulate: 800 2nd Ave (b/w 42nd and 43rd Sts)
Contact: 212-694-8720, nyc@answercoalition .org
* * * * *
Sunday, December 28
2:00-4:00 pm
Gather at Rockefeller Center
March to the Israeli Consulate: 800 2nd Ave (b/w 42nd and 43rd Sts)
Initiated by Al-Awda New York

Fort Lauderdale, FL
Tuesday, December 30
5:00 pm
Federal Building: 299 E. Broward Blvd.
Contact: 954-707-0155, FtLauderdale@ answerfl. org

Chicago
Details to be announced
Contact: 773-463-0311, answer@chicagoanswe r.net

Boston
Details to be announced
Contact: 857-334-5084, boston@answercoalit ion.org

Seattle
Saturday, January 3
12:00 noon - 2:00 pm
Westlake Park: 4th and Pine
Initiated by Voices of Palestine
Contact: general@voicesofpal estine.org

There was a demonstration in Toronto yesterday, and more are expected there and in Vancouver and other Canadian cities.