Protests around the world are have taken to the streets to condemn the Israeli attacks on the Gaza which has killed more than 1800 people and injured at least 750 until this moment.
In London, more than 50,000 protestors gathered in one rally – walking from the Israeli embassy to the UK parliament – to show their disapproval of the Israeli attacks on the besieged Gaza on Saturday 2 August.
The rally organized by an umbrella group of organizations including “Stop the War Coalition” and the “Palestine Solidarity Campaign”, the protesters said they planned to call for Israel’s attack and killings to stop and for British Prime Minister David Cameron to “stop supporting Israeli war crimes”.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) projected the national flag of Palestine on the Houses of Parliament, emphasizing their call for an end to Israel’s offensive in Gaza and sending messages asking for sanctions to be imposed on Israel.
In the time that critics were calling the move “offensive to the British public,” and referring to the stunt as irresponsible and provocative, the PSC has been praised by many on social media as the light flag was showing the slogan ‘Free Palestine’.
Jonathan Arkush, vice-president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, called the PSC an “irrelevant and extremist” pressure group “motivated by hatred of Israel.” He said that the stunt was “offensive to the British public.”
Pro-Palestine group beams flag on to Parliament
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI96F4qU2oU?feature=player_embedded]
According to a study by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research study, almost 70% of British Jews say non-Jews blame them for the Israeli government’s actions; they said they believe anti-Semitism had become more acute in Britain in the five years leading up to 2012.
Moreover, Muslim mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, requests the Palestinian flag to fly over town hall ‘in solidarity with Gaza’. Some Jewish leaders condemned the step as “destructive” for community relations as local residents said the council should concentrate on ‘potholes and bins’ and not international conflicts.
Many tweets show a photograph of the flag on London borough of Tower Hamlets, Mr. Rahman also posted a tweet with a message: “Palestinian flag flying at Town Hall in solidarity with #Gaza and in support of a ceasefire & peace.”
National flags of Palestine have been raised in a number of local council buildings, including Bradford and Preston.
Additional Sources:
1. Flag-waving protesters block London road tunnel with dozens of cars in ‘Free Palestine’ rally
2. ‘In our millions, we’re all Palestinian’: Wave of protests worldwide demand end to Gaza slaughter
