uk proesters return from Israel
the times | 05.04.2002 09:19
April 05, 2002
Britons taunted for peace protest
By Chris Johnston
SEVEN British peace campaigners rescued from the fighting in Bethlehem were taunted when they flew home last night.
The four men and three women, among them the comedian and writer Jeremy Hardy, had been trapped at the Star of Bethlehem hotel for two days, before the British Consulate in Jerusalem negotiated their passage out of the town.
British Airways said that a “verbal fracas?had erupted on flight BA164 after some passengers became aware that the group was on board. Police met the flight. There was no violence and police took no action, a BA spokesman said.
At Heathrow, one Israeli passenger shouted: “They are supporting terrorists who have blood on their hands. They are a disgrace.?
One of the seven, Joanne Bird, 30, from Manchester, said that despite being shot at, she intended to return to the region.
“It’s good to be home but my main concerns are for my friends who have stayed out there and for the Palestinian people who are under very real threat,?she said.
Chris Dunham, 31, another protester, said: “We were fired at with live ammunition with a complete disregard for our safety and human rights.?
The group, which also included Emma Bleach and Kunle Ibidun, both from Bristol, and Ted Curtis and Lillian Pizzithini, from London, had joined about 150 members of the International Solidarity Movement protesting against the Israeli attacks.
Britons taunted for peace protest
By Chris Johnston
SEVEN British peace campaigners rescued from the fighting in Bethlehem were taunted when they flew home last night.
The four men and three women, among them the comedian and writer Jeremy Hardy, had been trapped at the Star of Bethlehem hotel for two days, before the British Consulate in Jerusalem negotiated their passage out of the town.
British Airways said that a “verbal fracas?had erupted on flight BA164 after some passengers became aware that the group was on board. Police met the flight. There was no violence and police took no action, a BA spokesman said.
At Heathrow, one Israeli passenger shouted: “They are supporting terrorists who have blood on their hands. They are a disgrace.?
One of the seven, Joanne Bird, 30, from Manchester, said that despite being shot at, she intended to return to the region.
“It’s good to be home but my main concerns are for my friends who have stayed out there and for the Palestinian people who are under very real threat,?she said.
Chris Dunham, 31, another protester, said: “We were fired at with live ammunition with a complete disregard for our safety and human rights.?
The group, which also included Emma Bleach and Kunle Ibidun, both from Bristol, and Ted Curtis and Lillian Pizzithini, from London, had joined about 150 members of the International Solidarity Movement protesting against the Israeli attacks.
the times
Comments
Hide the following 5 comments
Human Righs
05.04.2002 09:54
We as Jews, Christians and Muslims should condem all violence and murder no matter who it is done by and who it is on.
I hate Ariel Sharon and israel's policies but Hamas are evil as well and you cannot condemn israeli violence if you do not condemn Palestian violence.
Gary
e-mail: gary224@email.com
Israel is the oppressor
05.04.2002 11:00
There is no equivalence between the violence and oppression of the massively armed Israeli state and the violent response of the oppressed unarmed or lightly armed Palestinians.
It is Palestinian rights that are being destroyed not Israeli rights.
Palestinians have an absolute right to fight back against the illegal and humiliating occupation of their country. For every Israeli to die at least 4 Palestinians die.
However wrong and horrible the suicide bombings are they are a desperate reaction to people being ground into the dust by the Israeli state until they feel they are living in hell.
There are only two ways to stop these bombings.
One way ( the Israeli Rights way) is to liquidate or expel the Palestinians from the West Bank -the other way is to give them justice
Any real solution to the problem must be based on justice for the Palestinians (Israeli out of the West Bank and Garza/dismantling the settlements/right to return). Just condemning the violence of both sides won't do.
dave
total change round
05.04.2002 12:39
the nazis victims have become the nazis.
But how has this happened ?
not so hard to figure out ,people in the right places, media control, ect ect. make sure it's fair, whoops too fair , we can do what thee fuck we like ... scenario as of today
The Jewish people are victims how can they possibly be accused of be the oppresser, besides everyone knows the arabs are shit, don't they ?
The point in question is are all you well educated middle/Upper class Jews going to support the Nazi regime that now controls israel, or come out and demonstrate against what they are doing to the Palestinians.
If the jewish community in London demonstrated came out in large numbers to demonstrate against Sharon and the genocide it would a) do a fuck of a lot to stop the killing. b) win them the respect of the rest of us.
If not there are plenty of people, eg NF, who are looking to capitalise on the anti jewish sentiments that are bound to come out if Israel is not stopped.
The palestinian peoples suffering will be repeated 4 sure .
The international jewish community is right on the front line and will live in fear of being blown to bits on the way home from work.
Dubya will be able to capitalise through his war on terror cos Terrorism will be back big time, remember the Munich Olympix and Bin ladens Disney Land Predecessor "The Jackal"
the Opec oil ministers in Vienna another creation of the security services. Yeah looks like we are in for a re run.
Arms industry shares will be looking up .. wonderfull world beautifull people ....
......................
c
Rubbish
05.04.2002 17:38
OVer 400 Israelis have died. I agree Palestians have suffered more but Israelis have suffered to.
Sharon = Hamas = Murderers = People who see violence as the solution
Gary
e-mail: gary224@email.co
Rubbish
05.04.2002 17:41
OVer 400 Israelis have died. I agree Palestians have suffered more but Israelis have suffered to.
Sharon = Hamas = Murderers = People who see violence as the solution
Gary
e-mail: gary224@email.com