Worldwide demonstrations denounce Israeli siege of Gaza

Protesters in 19 cities across the country hit the streets on Jan. 25 and 26 to reject the criminal Israeli siege of Gaza

Nader Abuljebain, Free Palestine Alliance, speaks to 500 protesters about breaking the inhuman blockade of Gaza, Anaheim, Jan. 26. Photo: Sufia

and show solidarity with the Palestinian liberation struggle. A coalition of anti-war and Arab organizations initiated the emergency actions in the United States: National Council of Arab Americans, Free Palestine Alliance, Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, Palestinian American Women’s Association, Al-Awda Palestine Right of Return Coalition and ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism). Demonstrations also were coordinated internationally in Canada, Germany, Austria, Britain, France, Switzerland, Ireland and in the Middle East.

One of the largest U.S. actions was in Anaheim, south of Los Angeles, in the heart of the Arab American community, where well over 500 people waved Palestinian flags and held signs and banners demanding justice for Palestine.

Arab American youth chanted “End the siege of Gaza now!” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” while marching. Muna Coobtee, ANSWER Coalition, chaired the rally, which featured speakers from local Arab and Palestinian groups, nearby mosques, student groups and a representative of the La Riva/Puryear Party for Socialism and Liberation presidential campaign. Speakers mourned the death of Dr. George Habash, founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and urged support for the March 15 mass march to stop the war in Los Angeles and the upcoming Al-Awda convention commemorating 60 years since “al-Nakba” (the creation of the state of Israel and forced “ethnic cleansing” of over 750,000 Palestinians).

An action on Jan. 26 in New York City held outside the Israeli consulate drew over 200. ANSWER Coalition organizer

San Francisco, Jan. 25 Photo: Bill Hackwell

Janette Caceres told the crowd: “The racist Israeli state is trying to break the will of our Palestinian sisters and brothers in Gaza. But they are resisting. Breaking through the border wall with Egypt was a heroic act. The siege must end now, and the Palestinian people must have the right to return to their original homes and land in historic Palestine. This will happen. We know that Palestine will be free!”

Two-hundred demonstrators braved driving wind and rain to protest and picket in San Francisco. Over 200 protested in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. Protesters in New Haven and Boston withstood zero degree temperatures to support the Palestinian people.

Thousands more protested across the country and the world, including thousands of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, 3,000 in Amman, Jordan, many thousands in Yemen, Iran, Syria and Libya, and 5,000 in London.

Marylou Cabral, Ben Becker, Priscilla Lounds, Sunil Freeman and Bill Hackwell contributed to this report.