March 'to send message of support' to Gaza
Saturday, 10 May 2008 00:01
20,000 marchers expected in central London for anti-Israeli demonstration marking 60 years of rule in Palestine
In Focus
Yesterday's highly-significant Israeli-Hizbullah prisoner exchange has prompted very different reactions either side of the border. Full Story
Twenty thousand people are expected to take to the streets of central London today in an anti-
Israeli demonstration marking 60 years of rule in
Palestine.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which has organised the National Demonstration for Palestine, expects marchers from all corners of the UK to participate in the protest, which concludes with a rally in Trafalgar Square.
A spokesman said the demonstration was being staged to coincide with Nakba Day – which translates as 'day of the catastrophe' in Arabic – which has been held annually since the formation of an independent Israeli homeland in May 15th 1948.
The march, which will begin at Victoria Embankment, is being supported by 18 national trade unions.
Martial Kurtz, campaigns officer at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said Britons were becoming "increasingly sympathetic" to the plight of civilians in Gaza.
He said the "dramatic events" of Israel's war in Lebanon two years ago and the "strangulation" of Gaza had contributed to this mood becoming part of the mainstream.
"This is a message to the Palestinian people to show there are people in the UK who support their basic human rights," he said ahead of today's march.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan police said it was aware of the demonstration and normal policing procedures were being put in place.