Palestine: The world cries out for justice

Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched through cities around the world on Saturday over the Israeli killing of nine Turkish activists last week aboard an aid ship bound for Gaza.

Rallies took place in London, Sheffield, Edinburgh and other British cities as part of an international day of action which also saw demonstrations in Turkey, Lebanon, Spain, Ireland and Gaza itself.

In London, 20,000 protesters marched from Downing Street to the Israeli embassy to express outrage at the killings on the Mavi Marmara aid vessel and the seizure of the MV Rachel Corrie, another aid ship trying to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza, by Israeli forces on Saturday morning.

As demonstrators left Downing Street they waved Palestinian flags and placards saying: "End The Siege" and "For Freedom We Sail." Others chanted: "Stop Israeli piracy."

Among the protesters was Sarah Colborne of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, who was aboard the Mavi Marmara and was in Israeli custody for almost two days before being deported to Britain.

"Israel cannot be allowed to continue to commit these crimes without being brought to justice," said Ms Colborne.

"It cannot board boats in international waters which have nothing but humanitarian aid and peace activists, to murder nine people and to hold us hostage, to kidnap us effectively.

"What we need to happen is for humanitarian aid to freely go into Gaza, for the siege to be lifted, for an independent investigation to take place into the events of the last few days and for Israel to end its violation of international laws."

Green MP Caroline Lucas, who joined the demonstration, also called for an independent inquiry into Israel’s "murder and piracy."

Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German said the event showed that victims’ "deaths have not been in vain - what it has done is bring the world’s attention to the terrible crime of the blockade of Gaza."

Protester Ali Seylan, who said his brother had been aboard the flotilla, told the rally: "Israel made a big mistake. Israel’s government managed to make all Turkish people the enemy of Israel."

Former Respect MP George Galloway told the London rally that new Viva Palestina land and sea convoys to break the siege of Gaze would soon set off.

He said after "extensive discussions in Istanbul I can announce that a land convoy will leave Britain in September.

"At exactly the same time a flotilla of boats will be leaving to tour the countries of the Mediterranean before heading for Gaza."

Around 5,000 Scottish protesters marched through central Edinburgh, ending in a rally where SNP MSP Sandra White read out a message on behalf of the Scottish government.

She declared: "We have added Scotland’s voice to that of the wider international community in condemning" the Israeli attack.

The statement also demanded "the immediate lifting of the Israeli blockade of Gaza."

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell announced on Sunday that Britain would award £19 million in aid for refugees in Gaza to be spent on health care, education and other services.

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/91229