General Press Releases
20,000 rally for MidEast peace
Saturday, 9 June 2007
Over 20,000 campaigners in London today demonstrated for a just Middle East peace by marking the 40th anniversary of the Six-Day War and the start of Israel's occupation.
Over 20,000 campaigners in London today demonstrated for a just Middle East peace by marking the 40th anniversary of the Six-Day War and the start of Israel's occupation.
More than 15,000 people marched from Lincoln's Inn Fields to Trafalgar Square, where 5,000 more gathered for a rally amid similar events around the globe.
The 20,000 across the square heard a Palestinian minister address people in Britain in person for the first time.
Information minister Dr Mustafa Barghouti said: "There is something wrong in the world when the international community supports the occupier, Israel, not the occupied, the Palestinians.
"There is something wrong in the world when Israel can force Palestinians to live under apartheid.
"And there is something wrong in the world when people who criticise Israel are accused of antisemitism."
Former Israeli soldier Nathaniel Silverman, from the Israeli-Palestinian group Combatants for Peace, said: "The Six-Day War that became a 40-year occupation casts a long shadow over my country. The occupation should have finished decades ago and must end for a just two-state solution." The protest was organised by the ENOUGH! coalition, which represents more than three million people from over 50 organisations, charities, trade unions, faith and campaign groups.
Ruth Tanner, spokeswoman for one of the leading organisers, the anti-poverty charity War on Want, said: "I just returned to Britain from seeing the terrible conditions which face Palestinians in the occupied territories. Our coalition demands the UK government with others stands up for global law to end the occupation and secure a just peace."
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CONTACT: Paul Collins, War on Want media officer (+44) (0)7983 550728
The 20,000 across the square heard a Palestinian minister address people in Britain in person for the first time.
Information minister Dr Mustafa Barghouti said: "There is something wrong in the world when the international community supports the occupier, Israel, not the occupied, the Palestinians.
"There is something wrong in the world when Israel can force Palestinians to live under apartheid.
"And there is something wrong in the world when people who criticise Israel are accused of antisemitism."
Former Israeli soldier Nathaniel Silverman, from the Israeli-Palestinian group Combatants for Peace, said: "The Six-Day War that became a 40-year occupation casts a long shadow over my country. The occupation should have finished decades ago and must end for a just two-state solution." The protest was organised by the ENOUGH! coalition, which represents more than three million people from over 50 organisations, charities, trade unions, faith and campaign groups.
Ruth Tanner, spokeswoman for one of the leading organisers, the anti-poverty charity War on Want, said: "I just returned to Britain from seeing the terrible conditions which face Palestinians in the occupied territories. Our coalition demands the UK government with others stands up for global law to end the occupation and secure a just peace."
End
CONTACT: Paul Collins, War on Want media officer (+44) (0)7983 550728
