Tens of Thousands rally in London for Palestine

London, May 18, IRNA -- The British capital on Saturday witnessed by far the biggest-ever peace rally in support of the Palestinians, reminiscent of the tumultuous days of the nuclear disarmament and anti-Vietnam war demonstrations of the 1960s.

The march, which set off from Hyde Park Corner at noon, is said to be twice larger than last month's rally in London, attended by more than 50,000 Palestinian sympathisers.

"We aim to show the British government that its pro-Israeli stance is out of step with public opinion," Palestine Slidarity Council secretary Betty Hunter said.

"The government must acknowledge Britain's historic responsibility for the dispossession of the Palestinians, stop betraying the Palestinians, withdraw our ambassador, stop arming Israel, stop buying arms from Israel and suspend trade agreements," she said.

The rally is being supported by Britain's main peace groups, including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Stop the (Iraqi) War Coalition, by trade unions, politicians, academics as well as Muslim organisations and anti-Israeli Jews.

Several MPs are among a long list of speakers due to address the rally when it arrives at Trafalgar Square.

The PNC said that the line-up of support "reflects the unity between all sections of the community in calling for an end to Israel's occupation."
The organisers are laying down a challenge to the British media, especially the BBC, not to downplay the significance of the demonstration after virtually ignoring last month's rally.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said that it was "very disappointed at the low level press coverage" that was given to the last huge march as well as other rallies taking place in UK cities.

It said there was a "tremendous sign of solidarity between the people of Britain and the besieged Palestinians" following Israel's re-occupation of Palestinian towns.

"By its barbaric actions and its continual defiance of UN resolutions and most of the world opinion, Israel has isolated itself from the community of civilised nations," said MCB, Britain's main Muslim umbrella organisation.

This was a huge, loud demo but predominantly Muslim. I was disappointed that more Anti-Capitalists and Anarchists weren't there, if so there could have been up to a million disaffected citizens demanding an end to war, oppression and genocide in the Middle East and beyond.

Plenty of politically aware kids were present, they have no choice but to take up this struggle for justice against the might of the US/Israeli/UK Global Empire.

The mainstream news have not even made a passing comment on this protest, showing their bias towards Zionism, as ever.

there is more to the "struggle" than getting numbers onto a march from hyde park to trafalger sqaure, the government won't listen however many people you see marching, which hopefully we will see on sept. 22nd