Whitchurch demonstrators join protest against Gaza violence

Despite the wet weather, members of the Whitchurch Christian Social Justice Group held signs to share their campaigning message at a local level.

Among them was social justice campaigner Andrew Smith, who posted to Twitter: "Taking the message to Whitchurch, Hampshire this morning" followed by a number of hashtags, including #FreePalestine, #SanctionsNow and #EndApartheid.

He told the Gazette: "We think it is important to raise awareness locally of the Palestinian struggle for national self-determination, and for people to learn something of the context in which recent appalling events in the Occupied Territories and Israel have been taking place."

Another demonstrator, Ruth Vale, described it as an "interesting" and "alltogether worthwhile" morning, with many conversations had with both supporters and challengers.

Andrew Smith (second from left) and others stood outside Whitchurch Town Hall today to share the protests message

It comes as thousands of people flocked the streets of London today (Saturday, May 15) to raise awareness.

Organisers say immediate action is needed by the UK Government to help end the “brutal” violence against the Palestinian people.

At midday on Saturday, demonstrators arrived at Hyde Park near Marble Arch to march to the Israeli embassy, holding banners and chanting.

Thousands of people marched through the park chanting “free, free Palestine”, and holding banners calling for an end to the bombing of the territory by Israeli forces.

Huge crowds of protesters then arrived outside the gates of the Israeli embassy in Kensington.

A temporary stage was set up on Kensington High Street and organisers urged people to keep moving down the road as numbers continued to swell and dozens of police officers lined nearby streets.

The Metropolitan Police said: “Officers are engaging with a group of people who have gathered for a demonstration in central London this afternoon.

“A policing plan is in place to ensure everybody is kept safe and to reduce the spread of Covid-19.”

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told the crowds that international action provides “succour, comfort and support” to those suffering in the conflict.

Crowds chanted “oh, Jeremy Corbyn” and threw roses as he took to the stage.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressing the crowds in London [Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA]

“Think what it’s like being a mother or father and seeing a building bombed in front of you, knowing your family is in there, and you can do nothing,” said Mr Corbyn.

“It’s our global voices that will give succour, comfort and support in those settlements alongside Gaza and all over the West Bank, East Jerusalem who are suffering at this time.

“End the occupation now. End all the settlements now and withdraw then. End the siege of Gaza now.”

Husam Zumlot, Palestinian ambassador to the UK, said: “This time is different. This time we will not be denied any more. We are united. We have had enough of oppression.

“Today we are saying enough, enough with the complicity. Thank-you for standing with us.”

Former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott told those present: “We must remember we are part of an international movement. This is a worldwide movement for justice.

“Palestinian people are having their land seized… and they are now being killed in their homes.

“All of this is illegal.”

Other speakers outside the Israeli embassy were Labour MP Zarah Sultana and rapper Lowkey.

Thousands gathered in London calling on the UK government to act in support of Palestinians [Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA]

The names and ages of the children killed in the conflict were read out and a minute’s silence was then held.

People were told to move further down the road as a matter of crowd safety, and there were cheers as organisers told them the turnout was “the biggest pro-Palestine demonstration since 2014”.

Organisers said demonstrator numbers were estimated at 150,000.

Coloured smoke was set off along Kensington High Street and some demonstrators climbed on to buildings and bus stops.

It comes as the Associated Press (AP) reported that an Israeli air strike destroyed a high-rise building that housed the AP, Al-Jazeera and other media in the Gaza Strip.

The AP said the air strike came roughly an hour after the Israeli military ordered people to evacuate the building.

The news agency said there was no immediate explanation as to why the building was targeted.

Thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee from their homes after a week of sustained conflict.

Since Monday night, Palestinian militant group Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel, whose military responded by barraging the Gaza Strip with tank fire and air strikes.

At least 126 people have been killed in Gaza, including 31 children and 20 women.

In Israel seven people have been killed, including a six-year-old boy and a soldier.

The demonstration in London has been organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Palestinian Forum in Britain, Stop The War Coalition, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the Muslim Association of Britain.

A spokesperson for the organisers said: “It is vital that the UK Government takes immediate action.

“It must stop allowing Israel’s brutal violence against and oppression of the Palestinian people to go unpunished.

“The bombardment of Gaza which is killing civilians including children is a war crime.

“The UK Government is complicit in these acts as long as it continues to offer Israel military, diplomatic and financial support.”