A Union of Good website is reporting that 500 “activists” held a protest outside the Israeli Embassy on the 5th anniversary of the 2008-2009 conflict in Gaza. According to the report:
January 14, 2014 More than 500 activists gathered in London on the 5th anniversary of the end of Israel’s massive military assault on Gaza to protest against the on-going blockade and bombing.
The protest took place outside the Israeli Embassy, with demonstrators hearing from speakers including Baroness Jenny Tonge, British Member of Parliament Andy Slaughter and former prisoner and hunger striker Mahmoud Sarsak, amongst others.
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Protesters gathered in London on Saturday to voice their outrage at Israel’s on-going blockade and attacks on Gaza, demanding an end to the bombing and the siege.
Baroness Jenny Tonge warned that: ‘We must not forget with everything else going on in the Middle East the terrible suffering that is going on in Gaza. The people there are going hungry, being poisoned and deprived of their human rights.
Andy Slaughter MP used the opportunity to tell Palestinians that: ‘There are people in the UK that care; people have a sense of justice and overwhelming support for Palestinian human rights.’
Leah Levane from Jews for Justice for Palestinians added that: ‘The Israeli Embassy over there does not speak for us. We stand by the people of Gaza.’
Ziad Elaloul from the Palestinian Forum for Britain appealed to ‘the international community, including the British Government, to put more pressure on Israel and lift the siege on Gaza.’
He also demanded that Israel ‘stop attacking the fisherman, stop attacking the farmers and striking Gaza, killing innocent people.’
For his part, Mahmoud Sarsak paid tribute to the protestors in London and around the world, saying that: ‘Palestinians are steadfast because of your support.’
Our predecessor publication has reported on similar protests held in the past and conducted by the Palestinian Forum in Britain.
The Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB) is part of the UK Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas support infrastructure. Zaher Birawi, the long time PFB media and public relations spokesperson, is also a director of the Palestine Return Centere (PRC) which has strong ties to Hamas and to the Global Muslim Brotherhood. In July 2012, we reported on a meeting with Hamas leaders that included Mr. Birawi.