Gaza Left Front manifests support for Tunisian people

A bit late to report this, but on January 19 a solidarity rally for the struggles of the Tunisian people was held in Gaza City, organized by the Left Front (PFLP, DFLP, PPP). Full report in Arabic in al-Hourriah.

This types of manifestations are almost always overlooked by Western media. Notably, Zionist advocates generally argue that Arab attention to Palestine is unilateral (and hipocritical). The Jasmine Revolution (or Bread Revolution, whatever you call it) has proven that assessment to be utterly incorrect. The Arab people are deeply concerned by the region as a whole, and when an popular ouburst occurs like in Tunisia all democratic forces of the region respond to it.

News links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Anzoátegui in solidarity with Gaza

Video of solidarity & cultural activity for Gaza by social movements in Anzoátegui, Venezuela.

Video: Solidarity Cáceres-Gaza

A proposal has been raised in the city of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain, to initiate twin city cooperation with Gaza City, Palestine. Four political groups have endorsed the proposal. See video below of press conference of the the Platform of 'Cáceres Citizens in Solidarity with Palestine';

Video: Barranquilla, Colombia; Manifestation in solidarity with Palestine

BDS!

Yesterday was the global Global Day of Action for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, coinciding with Land Day. More than 75 demonstrations in at least 19 countries were held to support the Palestinian call for BDS. At the same time Maan notes that Israeli exports are effectively declining as a result of the BDS struggle and the international outrage against the Israeli massacres. According to a report from the Israel Manufacturers Association, 21% of Israeli exporters face difficulties selling abroad. The report notes particular difficulties in selling exports to the UK and the Scandinavian countries.

Blogs: JSF, Angry Arab, Body on the line, Anna W, PGS, Esbati

Viva, Viva, Viva Palestina!

The Viva Palestina convoy has now reached the Gaza strip, having traveled from London through Europe and North Africa to Gaza, Palestine. The convoy had been delayed for two days by Mubarak's authorities at the Rafah border crossing, but has now been able to pass. Great news in sad times. Viva Palestina, break the siege!

Jordanian intellectuals protest siege of Gaza at Rafah border-crossing

A delegation from "Jordanian Intellectuals for Gaza" (مثقفون اردنيون من اجل غزة), which has travelled to Rafah border crossing in order to visit the besieged area, has protested the complicity of the Egyptian government and other states in enforcing the illegal blockade on the people of Gaza.

In protest of their denial of entry into the Gaza strip, the delegation carried out a sit-in manifestation at the border crossing.

The delegation includes personalities such as the artist Mohammad Nasrallah, the musician Kamal Khalil, the cartoonist Muhammad Abu Afifah, Awda Nabah, the cartoonist Abdul Rahman al-Jabari, the media personality Kawther Arar and the young poet Yusuf Abu Jaish. The delegation is led by the writer Dr. Hisham Bustani. The delegation has been organized by the Jordanian Writers Association, the Socialist Thought Forum, the Jordanian Philosophical Society, the Jordanian Plastic Arts Association and the Jordanian Cartoonists Association.

Source: PFLP website

"المثقفون الأردنيون يعتصمون أمام معبر رفح احتجاجاً على منعهم"

"على مقربة من سحب الدخان السوداء التي ارتفعت في السماء نتيجة للقصف الاسرائيلي للمنطقة الحدودية لغزة صباح اليوم، اعتصم وفد مبادرة "مثقفون اردنيون من اجل غزة" امام البوابة الخارجية لمعبر رفح الحدودي بعد ان نجحوا في الوصول اليه ولكن منعوا لليوم الثاني على التوالي من دخوله او العبور الى داخل قطاع غزة المحاصر باحكام."

"مصادر مبادرة "مثقفون اردنيون من اجل غزة" رأت ان هناك توافقاً حكومياً بين الحكومة المصرية وحكومات الدول الاخرى لعزل قطاع غزة بالكامل عن اي تواصل حقيقي وجسدي مع العالم الخارجي، فضباط المعبر يقولون ان لا مانع لديهم من دخول الوفود التضامنية والانسانية شرط الحصول على كتاب تسهيل مرور من سفارات الدول المعنية، والسفارات تقول ان لديها تعليمات مشددة من قبل الخارجية المصرية بعدم اعطاء اية كتب من هذا النوع أو تعطي كتبا لا تأثير لها، وتضيع الوفود بين الجهتين."

من على موقع الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطين

Viva Palestina! 100 vehicles set to leave London en route to Gaza

Reminicent of the solidarity work with Spain during the Spanish Civil War, the largest aid convoy ever from Britain to the Middle East is set to leave from Westminster, London, tomorrow February 14. The convoy consists of 100 vehicles, including a boat, a fire engine and 12 ambulances. Member of Parliament George Galloway will lead the convoy on its travel through Europe, North Africa to Gaza, Palestine. The convoy has been financed through donations from the British people. Video on the launching below, more info at VivaPalestina.org.


Viva Palestina t-shirts can be bought online.

Blogs: Liam, Palestine Support, the Mirror, News links on Gaza: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

French Communist Party: Sanctions on Israel, Continue solidarity mobilizations

The French Communist Party (PCF) has, ahead of a demonstration last Saturday, released a position paper calling for:
-An international humanitarian and reconstruction aid plan for Gaza.
-Sanctions on Israel for its war crimes. One demand raised is the freezing of the EU-Israel Association Treaty.
-To deploy a UN force to protect the inhabitants in Gaza.
-Support for a two-state solution based upon 1967 borders.
-Continued mobilizations and protests in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Leftwing forces salute the international solidarity with Palestine

Four leftwing groups met yesterday and in their joint statement, which condemned the brutality of the Israeli aggression and called for broad Palestinian national unity, a message was conveyed to the millions around the world who arose in defense of the people of Gaza during the last month:

"And we also salute all the forces, movements and solidarity groups, from around the entire world which acted in solidarity with our people, led by the diverse freedom-lovers. Especially we pay tribute to the left-wing and communist states, forces and parties, movements of solidarity with the Palestinian people and in particular Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, as well as other forces and movements.

Long live the Palestinian national unity,
Glory and eternity for our innocent martyrs,
and Forward for the sake of unity, freedom and democracy

Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Palestinian People's Party, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Democratic Front for Peace and Equality"

(unofficial translation by the Gaza; Peace n' Freedom blog)

Sudanese artists to make mural in solidarity with the people of Gaza

Speaking to the press at an artists workshop in solidarity with Gaza, the president of of the Sudanese Plastic Artists' General Association Abdel-Moneim al-Khudar vowed to create a huge mural glorifying the solidarity of the Sudanese people with all the oppressed peoples of the world, and specifically with the Palestinian people in Gaza. He also stated the intention of the Association to continue to educate the people about imperialism and Zionism.

For his part, the General Secretary of the National Council of Literature and Arts Sadiq Mujtaba, also demonstrated his solidarity with Gaza, stating that the artists workshop in solidarity with Gaza was a unique event. Mujtaba said that the paintings and drawings that have been produced at the workshop will be a powerful weapon in the struggle against tyranny.

Source: al-Midan, unofficial summary and translation by the Gaza; Peace n' Freedom blog, full article below;

Gaza, Darfur, Zimbabwe and the rest of the world

Another blogger has posted a comment , arguing that media coverage is disproportionally centered around Gaza at present compared to conflicts in other countries. This line of argument is increasingly become more popular amongst pro-Israeli commentators, hoping that Israel's crimes will appear smaller or less significant in comparison.

The argument is, however, essentially flawed. By that logic, no criticism could be raised against any government, with the argument that there are always other states breaching human rights. Human rights are by nature universal, and any violation of human rights is subject to criticism. The fact that there are gross human rights abuses in various parts of the world doesn't make the suffering (which, by the way, didn't start in the last three weeks) in Gaza less urgent.

Many of us, who today stand in freezing temperatures in Gaza solidarity protests or candle-light vigils, are veterans of internationalists protests, and have in the past taken to the streets to voice solidarity for the struggles of the peoples of Burma, Congo, Kurdistan and Colombia, just to mention a few examples.

What is needed is international solidarity, and that the international community acts to defend the principles of the Geneva Convention. Not only for Gaza, but for the security of all peoples.

JEM, one of the Darfurian rebel movements, have stated that they "condemned the double standards of the Arab and Islamic positions in dealing with the safety and security of civilians both in Darfur and Gaza, reaffirming that the blood of civilians must be safeguarded in all wars." (my emphasis, source Sudan Tribune) A reasonable point of view, in my opinion.

But if we talk about Western media, we should recall that there have been almost daily newscoverage condemning Mugabe for the past years. The Western media is surprisingly unanimous in its portrayal of Mugabe as the worst ruler alive, and epithets like 'dictator' are used frequently. And against both Zimbabwe and Sudan there are sanctions, the Sudanese president has even been indicted at the ICC. In such a scenario, organizing mass protests is to some extent superflous. (There was an attempt to mobilize international, read Western, public opinion against China's role in Sudan & Burma ahead of the 2008 Olympics, though.)

If we had governments who could impose sanctions on Israel for war crimes and send the Israeli leadership to The Hague, then perhaps street demonstrations would be less necessary.

Luxembourg: 1,500 demonstrate against Gaza massacre

1,500 people brazed sub-zero temperatures and took part in a protest against the Gaza massacre in the duchy of Luxembourg, on Saturday 10. The demonstration was organized by Comité pour une Paix Juste au Proche Orient. More protests will follow. Report in English (with photo) at 352.lu.

At the demonstration an open letter to the European Union presidency was read, which demands swift action to break the blockade on Gaza and halt the military aggression.

See also report at déi Lénk (Left Party) website.

Uruguay: Protest at the Israeli embassy

A manifestation was held in the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, on January 9, protesting the Israeli aggression. Photos from rebelArte;

Delhi: "Down with killer Israel"

On Friday January 9 a demonstration was held in Delhi, the capital of India. It was attended by several leaders of political parties, calling for an immediate stop to the massacre in Gaza. The placards on the photo read qatil israel murdabad, 'Down with killer Israel'.

From: Pragoti, See also an article about the rally in People's Democracy.

Women's International Democratic Federation condemns Israeli attack

The WIDF – Women's International Democratic Federation expresses its condemnation to the killing military attack perpetrated by the Zionist State of Israel at the Gaza Strip, in Palestine, with the support and the protection of the Bush Administration

After more than ten days of air bombing and now also by land, this unprecedented war crime and leaves hundreds of deaths and thousand of wounded people, among then women, children and elder ones, in the middle of a large destruction, leaving the Palestine people without electricity, in total darkness, without food, without water and without medicines in the hospitals that are face a real collapse.

These criminals attack unarmed people, mainly Palestine children and women that live in the region, victims of the bombs that were thrown in their houses, schools and works. They use modern military technologies against a nation without conventional armed forces and without arming to defend themselves.

Full text, in Spanish and English, at IAC website.

TV: Protests in Indonesia, Australia, Kenya and Yemen

Link to Aftonbladet TV broadcast.

Stockholm: 12,000 demonstrated for Gaza!, Demonstrations throughout Sweden

Just back from today's rally. We were 12,000! At least, some estimated it to 15,000. Police sources claimed the number 8,000. The march began at Sergels torg and ended outside the Israeli embassy. Overall the mood positive, marked by a massive condemnation of the Israeli aggressions and the cowardness of the Swedish government.

HD.se writes "Sergels Torg was completly packed around 1 p.m. on Saturday. Several thousands had shown up in a demonstration against the war in Gaza. Lots of Palestinian flags wave over the rally and the protestors chants "What shall we do? Stop the massacre!"

Speakers called on freezing the trade agreement between the EU and Israel, stop military exports to Israel, mobilize for a complete boycott of Israeli imports and kicking Veolia (who's building railways on occupied Palestinian land) out of the Stockholm metro.

Present in the demonstration where, amongst many prominent personalities, opposition leader Mona Sahlin and Trade Union Confederation (LO) Wanja Lundby-Wedin.

Some photos from a friend;




Other pro-Palestine demonstrations took part throughout the country. In Malmö thousands had gathered (3-4,000 according to police sources). In Göteborg, around 4,000 people took to the streets according to Göteborgs-Posten. Fadia Ayad had been evacuated and arrived at Göteborg's Landvetter airport on Saturday morning, a few hours later she marched in the demonstration and spoke out about the ordeals of herself and the Palestinian people.

Hundreds gathered in Uppsala.

In Borlänge, 200 people demonstrated. In Söderhamn 100 people protested. In Varberg, a public meeting was organized by the local Palestine Group. In nearby Halmstad, a protest gathered hundred people. In Helsingborg, a protest demonstration was held for the third Saturday in a row. Likewise, a rally was held in Kristianstad with 200 participants. In Borås, hundreds protested (article with video & photos).

In Norrköping more than 500 demonstrated (blog post, en castellano). In the front of the rally marched Social Democratic politician Lars Stjernkvist and Left Party MP Torbjörn Björlund. In nearby Linköping a protest was held in the centre of the town (Web-TV link) on Friday. Speakers came from the Social Democrats, Left Party, Green Party and the Palestinian Association.

In Östersund a broad manifestation was held to condemn the aggression against Gaza, organized by the Network for Global Peace and Democracy. Speakers came from the Social Democrats, Left Party, Centre Party, Green Party, Muslim Association and the local UN Association. Around 200 people took part in the protest. Protest will be held at Stortorget (Main Sq) of Östersund every Sunday as long as the Gaza aggression continues.

In Luleå, northern Sweden, seventy people protested under the slogans 'Stop the massacre. Long live Palestine!'. In Umeå, 500 protestors were assembled.

In Karlstad, hundred people gathered at a demonstration organized by the Left Party. The poet Bengt Berg read out a poem, titled 'Jewish Partisan Song', which had been written by the Norwegian poet Georg Johannessen during the 1943 siege of the Warsaw ghetto.

Yesterday, 200 people demonstrated in Karlskrona. Another demonstration was held in Eskilstuna. At the rally, Firat Nemrud of the Left Party called for an immediately lifting of the blockade of Gaza. In nearby Nyköping, 200 people gathered to protest (see video).

Protests also took place throughout other European countries. Barcelona and London were some of the places were thousands gathered.

Also, noting that a pro-massacre, pro-genocide and anti-Geneva Convention rally was held simultaneously in Copenhagen. 250 participants. Large part of the them had travelled from Sweden.

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News report on manifestation in Malmö, Januari 9, "Stop the massacre in Gaza", Appeal of 1,000 Swedish cultural workers, News report on the Stockholm rally in HD, Dagen, Trelleborgs Allehanda, Ystads Allehanda, Skånskan, ETC

South Africa: Protests will continue

The Palestine Solidarity Committee has vowed to continue their mass mobilizations against the Gaza massacre. Yesterday a rally was held outside the Egyptian embassy, protesting the complicity of the Mubarak regime in the killings of the people of Gaza.