Thousands of British Jews braved the cold for pro-Israel rallies in London and Manchester, following Europe-wide protests against the Gaza offensive. Organisers say more than 15,000 people gathered on Trafalgar Square and a further 5,000 in Manchester’s Albert Square. There were minor scuffles in London as a few pro-Palestinians attempted to break through heavy police and CST ranks and in Manchester, a call for a minute’s silence for the dead on both sides was greeted with chants from anti-Israel factions. Henry Grunwald, President of the Board of Deputies, spoke in Trafalgar Square as did ambassador Ron Prosor and Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks. Mr Grunwald launched a text campaign to raise money for hospitals in Israel and Gaza, asking everyone in the square to text the number 81400 and hold their phones aloft. Supporters from Greece, France, Portugal and several Indian communities joined the crowd along with Hendon MP Andrew Dismore, head of Labour Friends of Israel, and Douglas Carswell of Harwich and Clacton. In Manchester, Palestinian supporters chanted throughout a call for one-minute of silence for the dead on both sides of the Gaza border. But Israel’s deputy ambassador Talya Lador-Fresher said the event was “very well attended”, adding: “They understand we had no chance but to go forward with a military operation.” The events began on Wednesday night when 1,000 people gathered at the Israeli embassy in Kensington, a demo that clashed with the nightly gathering of anti-Israel groups. Israel's inner cabinet on Friday rejected a United Nations Security Council resolution which called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. The resolution calls for Hamas to stop its rocket attacks on southern Israel and for a closure of the network of tunnels which have allowed Hamas to smuggle arms and equipment into Gaza from Egypt. In a communique issued after Friday's cabinet meeting, the government made it clear that it would continue with the ground operation "in order to attain the objectives of the operation to bring about a change in the security situation south of the country. This is in accordance with the plans that have been approved upon embarking on the operation." The cabinet statement added that while efforts to prevent the smuggling of arms into the Gaza Strip would continue, the government would also continue to provide humanitarian aid and the army will maintain its policy of a daily three-hour truce. More sooThousands gather to show their support
January 11, 2009
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Sunday 11 January 2009
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