Global protests against attack on Gaza


November 16, 2012
Sarah Benton

Alexandria protest
Thousands have gathered outside the Leader Ibrahim Mosque in Alexandria on Friday to protest against the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip.

Qatar-based satellite channel Al-Jazeera Mubasher Misr broadcast images of protesters raising large banners for Palestinian martyrs who were killed during the attack. The banners read: “Gaza will never die,” “We call on the president to open Rafah crossing,” and “The Muslim who is not concerned with the affairs of his fellow Muslims is not one of them.”

The protesters chanted in support of the Palestinian resistance, saying: “O Zahar (Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar) tell Haniyah (Gaza premier Ismail Haniyah) not to leave the rifle,” and “No to Israel’s assault on Gaza.”

Other protesters raised banners demanding a stricter application for the Islamic Sharia in the new constitution Photo by Ahmed Almasry, Egypt Independent.



Israeli activists protesting in front of the Tel Aviv residence of the Israeli Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak, against the attack on Gaza, November 14, 2012. The signs read (from R to L): “Siege = Terror” and “Assassinations don’t prevent missiles”. Photo by: Keren Manor/Activestills.org)


Ottawa protest at Israeli embassy

Ottawa Citizen: Nearly 40 protesters in Ottawa met in front of the Israeli embassy at 1005-50 O’Connor Street around 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, 2012 calling for an end to the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Gaza. The Ottawa protest was one of many planned across the globe that were staged in solidarity with Gaza. The protesters held mostly peaceful demonstrations after Israel reportedly launched hours of attacks on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.


A group of people organized by the ANSWER Coalition demonstrates outside the White House in Washington on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Photo by Jacquelyn Martin/AP/SIPA


Emergency Global Actions for Gaza

[Click headline above for updates and links]

This is an updating document (begun 14.11.12) compiled from latest available information.

It is linked/cross-sourced as much as possible.

For additions or corrections tweet @riverdryfilm, @southsouth or @lobna or email orhamilton@gmail.com

FRIDAY, 16th November

Aberystwyth (UK) | Aberystwyth University, 6:00 p.m. [https://www.facebook.com/events/496124200420820/link]

Albuquerque (USA) | UNM Bookstore, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Aosta (Italy) | Piazza Chanoux, 9:00 p.m. [link]

Athens (Greece) | Israeli Embassy, 5 p.m. [link]

Asheville (USA) | Vance Monument, 4:30 p.m. [link]

Belfast (Ireland) | International Wall Divis St., 5:30 p.m.

Benghazi (Libya) | Tahrir Square, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Berlin (Germany) | Brandenburger Tor, Pairser Platz 2:30 p.m.

Birmingham (USA) | 1400 University Boulevard, 1:30 p.m. [link]

Bristol (UK) | The Fountains, 5:00 p.m. [link]http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/711800

Brussels (Belgium) | Place de la Bourse, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Cairo (Egypt) | Mohamed Mahmoud st, 12:30 p.m. [link]

Cairo (Egypt) | Tahrir Square

Cairo (Egypt) | Mosireen (action meeting), 9:00 p.m. [link]

Calgary (Canada) | City Hall, 3:00 p.m. [link]

Cape Town (South Africa) | Outside Parliament, 12:00 p.m.

Charleston SC (USA) | Marion Sq, 3:00 p.m.

Cincinnati (USA) | MLK Boulvard and Clifton Avenue, 4:30 p.m. [link]

Cleveland (USA) | Public Square, 4:30 p.m. [link]

Derna (Libya) | Sahet Tahrir, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Detroit (USA) | Windsor Detroit Tunnel, 4:30 p.m. [link]

Durban (South Africa) | City Hall, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Durham, NC (USA) | Duke University, West Campus bus stop, 5:00 p.m.

Florida (USA) | Gainesville, Turlington Hall, 11:00 a.m. [link]

Forth Worth (USA) | Courthouse, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Houston (USA) | Intersection of Westheimer & Post Oak Boulevard, 4:30 p.m. [link]

Glasgow (Scotland) | Donald Dewer Statue, Buchanan st., 5:00 p.m.

Johannesburg (South Africa) | Luthuli House, 2:00 p.m.

Johannesburg (South Africa) | Wits Jamaa Khana, 7:00 p.m. [link]

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) | US Embassy, 2 p.m. [link]

L’Aquila (Italy) | Fontana Luminosa, 6:30 p.m. [link]

Lannion (France) | Town Hall, 6:00 p.m. [link]

Liverpool (UK) | Outside BBC Radio Merseyside, 5:30 p.m. [link]

London (UK) | Israeli Embassy, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Madison (USA) | In front of Memorial Library, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Madrid (Spain) | Israeli Embassy, 6:00 p.m. [link]

Mälmo (Sweden) | Triangeln, uppgång Smedjegatan, 6:00 p.m.

Manchester (UK) | Picadilly Gardens, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Michigan | the Diag, University of Michigan, 3:00 p.m. [link]

Milan (Italy) | Piazza del Duomo, 6:00 p.m. [link]

Nanaimo (CA) Terminal & Commercial st., 12:00 p.m

Nantes (France) | Intersection of trams (50 otages/​Commerce), 5:30 p.m [link]

New York (USA) | Israeli Consulate, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Norman OK (USA) | University of Oklahoma, 9:00 a.m. [link]

Ohio, (USA) | Columbus, Ohio Statehouse, 5:00 p.m.

Ottawa (Canada) | Israeli Embassy, 50 O’Connor b/w Queen and Albert, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Palermo (Italy) | Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, 5 p.m. [link]

Perth (Australia) | Murray Street Mall, Perth City, 5:30 p.m. [link]

Philadelphia (USA) | Israeli Consulate, 19th and JFK Boulevard, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Pittsburgh (USA) | U.S. Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Avenue, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Ramallah (Palestine) Almanara, 1:00 p.m.

Rochester (USA) | Federal Office Building, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Rouen (France) | courthouse, 6:00 p.m. [link]

Rome (Italy) | Montecitoria, 5:30 p.m. [link]

São Paulo (Brazil) | MASP, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Sacramento (USA) | Federal Building, 5th and I Street, 4:30 p.m.

San Francisco (USA) | Israeli Consulate, 4:00 p.m. [link]

San Jose (USA) | Santana Row, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Sao Paulo (Brazil) | MASAP, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Seoul (Korea) | Israeli Embassy, Kabool Bulding, 149 Seorin-dong, 110-726, 1:00 p.m.

Seville (Spain) | Plaza Nueva, 7:00 p.m.

Sousse (Tunisia) | Sahet al Chelli, 12:00 p.m. [link]

St. Catherine’s, ON (Canada) | 61 Geneva St, 2:00 p.m. [link]

St. Louis (USA) | Robert Young Federal Building, 4:00 p.m. [link]

St. Paul (MN) | Snelling & Summit Ave, 4:15 p.m. [link]

Tempe AZ (USA) | Arizona State University, NW corner of Mill Ave, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Tripoli (Libya) | Shuhadaa Square, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Tucson AZ (USA) | SW corner of Euclid Ave & Speedway, 5:00 p.m.

Vienna (Austria) | Stephansplatz, 1010, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Wellington (New Zealand) | Cuba Mall, by the Buckets, 12:00 p.m. [link]

West Lafayette (USA) | Memorial Mall (south end), 1:30 p.m. [link]

Zawiya (Libya) | Shuhadaa Square, 4:00 p.m. [link]

SATURDAY, 17th November

Aberdeen (Scotland) | St. Nicholas Square, 12:00 p.m.

Amherst (USA) | Student Union, UMass Amherst, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Amsterdam (Holland) | Dam Sq, 1:00 p.m. [link]

Annecy (France) | In Front of the prefecture , 2:30 [link]

Aubenas (France) | marche et cheateau square , 10:30 a.m. [link]

Aukland (New Zealand) | Aotea Square, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Barcelona (Spain) | Placa Saint Jaume, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Belfort (France) | Corbis Square, 2:30 p.m. [link]

Bergen (Norway) | Torgallmenningen, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Bordeaux (France) | Place De La Comedie, 11:30 a.m. [link]

Boulogne Sur Mer (France) | Monsigny and Theirs Street , 12:00 p.m. [link]

Brisbane (Australia) | Brisbane Sq, 12:30 p.m. [link]

Cairo (Egypt) | Arab League HQ, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Cambridge (UK) | Market Sq, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Canterbury (UK) | High Street, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Cardiff (UK) | Aneurin bevan Statue, Queen Street, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Chateauroux(France) | 1 Jules Massenet Street 36000, 8:00 p.m. [link]

Denver (USA) | Denver Capitol, 1:00 p.m. [link]

Edinburgh (UK) | Charlotte sq, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Edmonton (Canada) | Edmonton City Hall South steps, 103a Av & 100 St, 1:00 p.m. [link]

Every (France) | Townhall, Human Rights Square, 12:00 [link]

Frankfurt (Germany) | Hauptwache, 3:00 p.m. [link]

Geneva (Switzerland) | In front of the UN (Places des Nation), 2:00 p.m. [link]

Gothenburg (Sweden) | Gustav Adolfs torg, 3:00 p.m. [link]

Lisbon (Portugal) | Israeli Embassy, 5:00 p.m. [link]

London Support Palestinians under attack in Gaza

Protest called by Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Rally SATURDAY 17 November

Assemble 2pm opposite the Israeli Embassy, 2 Palace Green London W8 4QB

Lyon (France) | Place Bellecour, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Malaga (Spain) } Plaza de la Contiticion, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Mälmo (Sweden) | Gustaf Adolfs Torg, 3:00 p.m. [link]

Melbourne (Australia) | Bourke St Mall, 12:30 p.m. [link]

Montpellier (France) | Place De La Comedie, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Newcastle (UK) | Grey’s Monument, 12:00 p.m. [link]

New Haven (USA) | 141 Church St., across from the Green, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Norman OK (USA) | University of Oklahoma, 12:30 p.m. [link]

Nottingham (UK)| Nottingham Market Square, 5:30 p.m. [link]

Oklahoma City (USA) | Penn Sq Mall, 12:30 p.m. [link]

Oslo (Norway) | Israeli Embassy, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Paris (France) | Place de la Bastille, 3:00 p.m. [link]

Portland (USA) | Pioneer Courthouse Sq, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Reading (UK) | Broad st, 12:30 p.m.

Regina (Canada) | Victoria Park 3:00 p.m. [link]

Sacramento (USA) | Federal Building, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Santiago (Chile) | Israeli Embassy, 11:00 a.m. [link]

Sheffield (UK) | Outside the Town Hall, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Stockholm (Sweden) | Israeli Embassy 3:00 p.m. [link]

St Paul (USA) | Snelling & Summit Ave, 4:15 p.m. [link]

Swansea (UK) | Castle sq, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Torino (Italy) | Corso G Cesare, 2:30 p.m. [link]

Warsaw (Poland) | Israeli Embassy, 1:00 p.m. [link]

Wrexham (UK) | Hope st., near Barclays, 11:00 p.m. [link]

SUNDAY, 18th November

Antwerp (Belgium) | ProvincieHuis, 1:00 p.m. [link]

Berlin (Germany) | Hermannplatz, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Hong Kong (China) | Victoria Park, 2:00 p.m. [link]

MONDAY, 19th November

Berlin (Germany) | Brandenburge Tor, Pariser Platz 5:00 p.m.

[PREVIOUSLY]

WEDNESDAY, 14 Nov

Bethlehem | Manger Square, 7:30 p.m.

Istanbul | al Fateh Mosque, 9:00 p.m.

Jerusalem | Damascus Gate, 7:00 p.m.

London | Israeli Embassy

Ramallah | al Manara Square, 7:00 p.m.

Tel Aviv | Ehud Barak’s doorstep, 8:00 p.m.

Quebec | Hall Building, Concordia U, 1455 de Maisonneuve West, 6:00 p.m. [link]

THURSDAY, 15 Nov

Alexandria (Egypt) | Qaid Ibrahim, 12:00 p.m.

Amsterdam (Holland) | Zuidelijke Wandelweg 41, 6:45 p.m. [link]

Ann Arbor (USA) | Campus Diag, in front of Hatcher Graduate Library, 3:00 p.m. [link]

Austin (USA) | I-35 and 12th Street (overpass), 2:00 p.m. [link]

Atlanta (USA) | Israeli Consulate, 4 p.m. [link]

Beirut (Lebanon) | Cola, 10:00 a.m.

Belfast (Ireland) | City Hall, 7:00 p.m.

Boston (USA) | 4:30 p.m., Copley Square [link]

Bradford (UK) | 4.30 p.m. [link]

Brighton (UK) | Outside EcoStream HQ, 12:00 p.m. [twitter]

Brighton (UK) | Victoria Gardens, 5:30 p.m. [link]

Cairo (Egypt) | Omar Makram, 12:30 p.m.

Cairo (Egypt) | Arab League, 4:00 p.m.

Chicago (USA) | Outside Obama HQ, 130 E Randolph Street, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Cork (Ireland) | Daunt square 6:00 p.m. [link]

Denver (USA) | Colorado State Capital, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Dublin (Ireland) | Israeli Embassy, 5:30 p.m.

Durham (UK) | Market sq, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Florence (Italy) | Piazza della Repubblica (flash mob), 6:00 p.m. [link]

George Mason University (USA) | The North Plaza, 1:30 p.m. [link]

Glasgow (Scotland) | Ahl al Bayt Centre, 6 p.m. [link]

Haifa (Palestine) | Karma House, 7:00 p.m. [link]

Jerusalem (Palestine) | Outside Hebrew University, 12:00 p.m.

Limerick (Ireland) | Thomas st, 6:15 p.m. [link]

Leeds (UK) | Parkinson Steps, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, 1:00 p.m. [link]

London (UK) | Israeli Embassy, 5:30 p.m. [link]

Los Angeles (USA) | UCLA, Meyerhoff Park, 11:30 a.m. [link]

Los Angeles (USA) | Israeli Consulate, 11766 Wilshire Boulvard, 4:00 p.m. [link] [link]

Manchester (UK) | Piccadilly Gardens, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Memphis (USA) | Poplar and Highland, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Mexico City (Mexico) | Israeli Embassy, 4:00 p.m.

Montreal (Canada) | Hall Building, Concordia University, 5:00 p.m.

Nashville (USA) | Centennial Park, 3:00 pm [link]

Nazareth (Palestine) | Kassarat Crossroad, 6:30 p.m. [link]

New York (USA) | Israeli Consulate, 42nd Street & 2nd Ave, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Nottingham (UK)| Nottingham Market Square, 5:30 p.m. [link]

Olympia (USA) | Red Square at Evergreen State College, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Ontario (Canada) | University of Windsor, CAW Student Centre, 12:00 p.m.

Ottawa (Canada) | Israeli Embassy, 6:00 p.m.

Oxford (UK) | Cornmarket Street, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Paris (France) | Ministry of Justice, 6:00 p.m. [link]

Princeton (USA) | Princeton University, outside of Frist Campus Center, 12:30 p.m.

San Diego (USA) | US Federal Building, 880 Front Street, 4:30 p.m. [link]

San Francisco (USA) | Israeli Consulate, 5:15 p.m. [link]

Santiago (Chile) | Palestine Stadium (Vitacura 8049) to Israel Stadium, 9:00 p.m. [link]

Seattle (USA) | Henry Jackson Federal Building, 915 2nd Avenue, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Spokane (USA) | Corner of Maine and Division, 5:00 p.m.

Sydney (Australia) | Parmatta Town Hall, 6:00 p.m. [link]

Tel Aviv (Palestine) | Main Entrance, Tel Aviv University 11:30 a.m. [link]

Toronto (Canada) | Israeli Consulate, 180 Bloor Street (E. of St. George TTC), 6:00 p.m.

Tunis (Tunisia) | In front of the National Theatre, 11:00 a.m.

Tunis (Tunisia) | Front of all Trade Association Buildings (Sa7et Mohamed Ali) 1:00 p.m.

Vancouver (Canada) | The Art Gallery, Hornby and Robson Streets, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Washington D.C. (USA) | March from State Department, 6:00 p.m. [link]

EYE WITNESSSES

To get direct reports from Gaza in various languages contact:

Lydia de Leeuw (Dutch) +972 (0) 597478455

Adie Mormech (British) +972 (0) 592280943

Adriana Zega (Italian) +972 (0) 597241318

Gisela Schmidt Martin (Irish) +972 (0) 592778020 blipfoto.com/GiselaClaire

Joe Catron (United States) +972 (0) 595594326 twitter.com/jncatron

Julie Webb-Pullman (New Zealand) +972 (0) 595419421 todayingaza.wordpress.com

Lydia de Leeuw (Dutch) +972 (0) 597478455 asecondglance.wordpress.com

Meri Calvelli (Italian) +972(0)598563299

Find out more about this initiative on Mondoweiss.


ACTION: Global list of scheduled protests against Israel’s attacks on Gaza

Nora Barrows-Friedman, Electronic Intifada

November 15, 2012

While Israel’s aggressions continue to mount against people in Gaza, activists around the world are planning emergency protests.

Jewish Voice for Peace has compiled an extensive list of protests in North America.

Here is a list of scheduled demonstrations around the world beginning today.

The listings below are scheduled for Friday, 16 November through Monday, 19 November, and include links and addresses. This list is compiled by @southsouth and @riverdryfilm. Be sure to check back as more demonstrations are being added. Check the original for the links to organisers.

FRIDAY, 16 Nov

Aberystwyth (UK) | Aberystwyth University, 6:00 p.m. [link]

Albuquerque (USA) | UNM Bookstore, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Athens (Greece) | Israeli Embassy, 5 p.m. [link]

Birmingham (USA) | 1400 University Boulevard, 1:30 p.m. [link]

Bristol (UK) | The Fountains, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Brussels (Belgium) | Place de la Bourse, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Cairo (Egypt) | Tahrir Square

Cairo (Egypt) | Mosireen (action meeting), 9:00 p.m. [link]

Calgary (Canada) | City Hall, 3:00 p.m. [link]

Cincinnati (USA) | MLK Boulvard and Clifton Avenue, 4:30 p.m. [link]

Cleveland (USA) | Public Square, 4:30 p.m. [link]

Florida (USA) | Gainesville, Turlignton Hall, 11:00 a.m. [link]

Houston (USA) | Intersection of Westheimer & Post Oak Boulevard, 4:30 p.m. [link]

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) | US Embassy, 2 p.m. [link]

Liverpool (UK) | Outside BBC Radio Merseyside, 5:30 p.m. [link]

Manchester (UK) | Picadilly Gardens, 5:00 p.m.

Michigan | the Diag, University of Michigan, 3:00 p.m. [link]

Milan (Italy) | Piazza del Duomo, 6:00 p.m. [link]

Ottawa (Canada) | Israeli Embassy, 50 O’Connor b/w Queen and Albert, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Palermo (Italy) | Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, 5 p.m. [link]

Perth (Australia) | Murray Street Mall, Perth City, 5:30 p.m. [link]

Philadelphia (USA) | Israeli Consulate, 19th and JFK Boulevard, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Pittsburg (USA) | U.S. Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Avenue, 5:00 p.m. [link]

Sacramento (USA) | Federal Building, 5th and I Street, 4:30 p.m.

San Francisco (USA) | Israeli Consulate, 4:00 p.m. [link]

Seoul (Korea) | Israeli Embassy, Kabool Bulding, 149 Seorin-dong, 110-726, 1:00 p.m.

Wellington (New Zealand) | Cuba Mall, by the Buckets, 12:00 p.m. [link]

SATURDAY, 17 Nov

Aberdeen (Scotland) | St. Nicholas Square, 12:00 p.m.

Aukland (New Zealand) | Aotea Square, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Barcelona (Spain) | Placa Saint Jaume, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Bergen (Norway) | Torgallmenningen, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Brisbane (Australia) | Brisbane Sq, 12:30 p.m. [link]

Cardiff (UK) | Aneurin bevan Statue, Queen Street, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Edinburgh (UK) | Charlotte sq, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Frankfurt (Germany) | Hauptwache, 3:00 p.m. [link]

London (UK) | Israeli Embassy, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Melbourne (Australia) | Bourke St Mall, 12:30 p.m. [link]

Newcastle (UK) | Grey’s Monument, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Nottingham (UK)| Nottingham Market Square, 5:30 p.m. [link]

Oslo (Norway) | Israeli Embassy, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Portland (USA) | Pioneer Courthouse Sq, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Sheffield (UK) | Outside the Town Hall, 12:00 p.m. [link]

Stockholm (Sweden) | Israeli Embassy 3:00 p.m. [link]

Swansea (UK) | Castle sq, 2:00 p.m. [link]

Wrexham (UK) | Hope st., near Barclays, 11:00 p.m. [link]

SUNDAY, 18 Nov

Antwerp (Holland) | ProvincieHuis, 1:00 p.m. [link]

Hong Kong (China) | Victoria Park, 2:00 p.m. [link]

MONDAY, 19 Nov

Berlin (Germany) | Brandenburge Tor, Pariser Platz 5:00 p.m.


JfJfP condemns assassination

Statement from Executive committee, Jews for Justice for Palestinians

November 15, 2012

JfJfP condemns Israel’s assassination of Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, the head of the military wing of Hamas and those of a further nine people, two of them very young children. Israel claims it has carried out the killing in order to “protect Israeli civilians” but these assassinations will only lead to an escalation of violence and a grossly disproportionate retaliation by Israel against the civilians of Gaza, both of which we deplore. The assassination is a deliberate and cynical act of escalation and provocation just at the point when, on Monday in Cairo, the leaders of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other groups were ready to agree a ceasefire. We call on the Israeli government to end the conflict by ending the Occupation, the Settlements and house demolitions and entering into peaceful, concrete negotiations based on human rights.


See also previous JfJfP posts: Targeted killings safer option than another Cast Lead,

Barak threatens collective punishment if targeted killings fail to end rocket fire,

Targeted killing: short-term gain in an endless war


PSC are mounting a protest against the attacks on Gaza

Palestine Solidarity Campaign

email, November 14, 2012

Palestine Solidarity Campaign  will be holding an emergency protest outside the Israeli Embassy, Embassy of Israel, 2 Palace Green, London W8 4QB tomorrow (Thursday 15th November) from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and we hope that you will help support this, both by attending and by letting others know it is taking place.

The facebook event link is:

https://www.facebook.com/events/437405376306962/



The correct name for this war is “Operation Short Memory”

By Gush Shalom, Press Release

November 14, 2012

‘Liquidations don’t stop missiles” – spontaneous protest against the Gaza War. Tel Aviv, Nov. 14. 2012

The name chosen for the new war in Gaza is “operation Cloud Pillar”. A far more appropriate name would have been “Operation Short Memory” Said former Knesset member Uri Avnery, Gush Shalom activist. “Prime Minister Netanyahu is counting on the public’s short memory. Netanyahu counts upon people forgetting that dozens and even hundreds of “liquidations” had been carried out and they did not solve any problem – always there was somebody replacing those who were killed, and more than once the new one was more capable and more radical. Netanyahu counts on people not remembering that four years ago Israel went to war in Gaza, killing 1300 civilians in three weeks – which otherwise did not make any significant change in the situation. Netanyahu counts on people failing to remember that just yesterday morning the media reported on people in the communities of the South heaving a sigh of relief at the complete cessation of missiles from Gaza. .

“Binyamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak have taken the decision – for the second time in a row the State of Israel will conduct general elections under the shadow of war in the Gaza Strip. The cease-fire which already started to stabilize had been broken and shattered to pieces. The inhabitants of te communities of southern Israel, who just started to breathe freely, are sent right back to air raid alarms and the running to shelters.

At the price of great suffering on both sides of the border, the government’s aim had been accomplished: the social issues, which threatened to assume prominence in these elections, have been pushed aside and removed from the agenda of the elections campaign. Forgotten, too, is the brave attempt of Mahmud Abbas to address the Israeli public opinion. In the coming weeks, the headlines will be filled with constant war and death, destruction and bloodshed. When it ends at last, it will be revealed that no goal has been achieved and that the problems remain the same, or perhaps got worse.”


 

 

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