Hundreds march in Bristol over Gaza bombings
Hundreds of protesters joined a demonstration in Bristol against the bombing of Gaza as part of a series of rallies held across the UK.
An estimated 500 people met outside the Hippodrome to hear calls for a halt to the Israeli attacks on Gaza before marching through the city with a police escort.
It has been more than a week since the rocket attacks between Israel and Palestinian terrorist group Hamas started.
Caught in the crossfire, more than 400 Palestinians have been killed and some 1,700 have been wounded since Israel began its aerial war on Hamas.
Yesterday Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for a ceasefire between the two sides as the conflict in the Middle East escalated.
Israel sent tanks and thousands of ground troops into Gaza as international leaders tried to work out a way of stopping the violence.
America's support for Israel has been criticised by groups in this country, as has the British Government's failure to condemn the bombing of Gaza.
Among those addressing the crowd on Saturday was Nina Franklin, Bristol divisional secretary of the National Union of Teachers, and Imam Assad Ali Shah of St Mark's Road Mosque in Easton.
Ms Franklin called on the British Government to "take urgent notice of the anger all over Britain" being expressed in Bristol and elsewhere.
Organisers said many of those involved in a week-long vigil on the Centre leading up to the rally had never protested before.
But they said people had been shocked by the images coming out of Gaza, where schools, hospitals and homes have been destroyed and dozens of children were among the dead. Organisers hailed the Bristol rally a success.
Cliff Hanley, chairman of Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: "We were over-whelmed by the huge turn-out.
"Bristol has responded magnificently to show their opposition to the attacks on Gaza.
"They have been so shocked by what they've seen on the news over the last week that they've come along to make contact and to make their protest seen.
"People are angry at what Israel is doing and furious at the hypocrisy of our own Government's support for Israel."
Bristol's event was organised by the Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Bristol Stop the War Coalition.
Jeremy Clarke, of Bristol Stop the War Coalition, said: "Gordon Brown must condemn the Israeli attacks. The people of Gaza need our support."
In London protesters included singer Annie Lennox and Respect MP George Galloway.
Comedian Alexei Sayle has also added his support to the campaign to end violence.
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by Tim, HQ
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 5:46PM
“"Instead of protesting, why don't they just pray?"
We all pray for them mate.
But there needs to some action too.
Think before you say something.”
by Staff, South Florida
Tuesday, January 06 2009, 9:59PM
“Instead of protesting, why don't they just pray?”
by Sally, Bath
Tuesday, January 06 2009, 7:10PM
“Steve for Glastonbry,
What are you on about??
Hamas are nothing to do with civilians!
Thats just an excuse for Isreal to kill mre people!..you should know this.”
by Tim, HQ
Tuesday, January 06 2009, 7:07PM
“"Why are arab nations aggressive towards Israel Peter from Kingswood? Is is because the Jews were kicked out of Europe during the war and repopulated the area. Tell you what if some middle eastern aggressor came up and started repopulating a country in Western europe and oppressing and murdering the population then we Europeans my not be so happy.."
EXACTLY NOW WE KNOW HOW IT FEELS LIKE!..
Isreal..JUST LEAVE!”
by Wake up poeple, real world
Tuesday, January 06 2009, 6:29PM
“To every one who knows nothing!,
You need to look back into history, and you will find out this country is for Palestinians not Isrealies..they are occupiers and have no rights in Palestine!..They have to open the borders now!
Look at what happend today!..they bombed a UN refugee place!..I mean come on!..proves Isreal are the ones causing terrorism!
Free Palestine!!”
by jon, clifton
Tuesday, January 06 2009, 5:35PM
“Hamas was democraticaly elected and therefore is the voice of the people of Gaza like it or not not. Hamas became successful because more moderate Fatah got absolutely nowhere - peole were driven to extremism. Hamas voluntarily agreed to a ceasefire and stopped firing its "fireworks" (compared to US supplied sophisticated high tech weapons of Israel). In return Israel as part of the deal should have reopened border crossings to allow the people of Gaza to work, travel and do everything everyone should be entitled to do. It is not acceptable for 2 M people to be kept in a prison /ghetto dependent on Israel for the most basic components of life.Israel has no regard for the hope and aspirations and right to life for a people it has cruelly wronged for so long. To say a few rockets being fired by Hamas is the main issue is to totaly misunderstand what is going on. If Germany invaded England and only let the English occupy the Isle of Wight, in an open prison would you accept the status quo. As long as Israel acts so unjudiciously and the UK and US do not condemn them there will be no peace in the middle east and people will be radicalised in the west leading to more terrorism. Wake up - this is so wrong.”
by Steve, Glastonbury
Monday, January 05 2009, 11:29PM
“Hamas will get nowhere until they can actually stick to a ceasefire and stop firing rockets into Israel. Once they do that the rest of the world can pressure America to make Israel co-operate in setting up a Palistinian state.
Sadly whilst Hamas continue to fire rockets from amongst civilian homes Israel will protect themselves and I would do the same!!”
by Captain Saddened, Saddened HQ
Monday, January 05 2009, 12:48PM
“Captain Obvious writes: "Both sides is (sic) as bad as each other"
Israelis killed by rockets in the last two weeks = 4
Palestinians killed by Israelis in the last two weeks = 400-odd and rising.”
by Captain Obvious, Obvious HQ
Monday, January 05 2009, 10:13AM
“"The Israelis are the biggest problem in the middle east "
Really? I thought it was ignorance personally. You seem to be someone who fits that bill. Both side is as bad as each other.”
by Captain Pretentious, Pretentious HQ
Monday, January 05 2009, 9:33AM
“America love their non-muslim ally in the west and will do anything to keep them on side. The Israelis are the biggest problem in the middle east and I wish one day they recieve a taste of their own medicine”