As journalists have been expelled no one knows exactly what is going on, but even the Israeli Defence Forces admit that at least 250 Palestinians have been killed - many of them children. This latest escalation of Israeli State terrorism seems to be one final attempt to wipe out all Palestinian resistance. The basic infrastructure of Palestine is being systematically destroyed - hospitals and ambulances have been targeted by helicopter gunships, electricity and telephone cables ripped up and water pipes have been destroyed - so much so that Palestinians in refugee camps in Jenin have resorted to drinking sewage water.
All across the globe massive protests have erupted against Israeli State terrorism and its chief sponsor George Bush. Anti war activists everywhere do not buy Bush's calls on Sharon to pull out of recently occupied cities. We know all too well what lies behind the US's new found support for UN Resolutions. Before Ramallah, Bush was secretly moving missile guidance systems from Saudi Arabia to friendly Qatar as massive popular anger would have prevented any attack on Iraq being launched from Saudi. However with millions demonstrating across the Middle East in solidarity with Palestine, Bush's hands are now temporarily tied and he cannot attack Iraq until he reins in Sharon.
From the outset, the anti war movement said that the 'war on terrorism' would only serve to create new conflicts and worsen existing ones. From Colombia to Palestine, we are seeing the brutal consequences of Bush's war. However, we are also witness to massive protests against this brutal new world order. In the past week, over 1 million marched in Rabat (Morocco), 10,000 in Qatar, 250,000 in Tripoli 25,000 in Banha (South Egypt) and hundreds of thousands more from Brussels to Jakarta calling for Justice for Palestine. We must go from last Saturday's demonstration to build a huge national anti war demo on April 27th that not only condemns US & Israeli State terrorism but calls on our own government to immediately withdraw all offers of support to Bush's war.
Yesterday the European Parliament voted through a resolution calling on the EU to suspend trade links with Israeli until Sharon withdraws from all recently occupied territories. Unfortunately, the final decision rests with the European Commission and Council. Patricia McKenna MEP (Green Party) is handing in the European Parliament Resolution to Brian Cowen at the Department of Foreign Affairs (80 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2) at 11.30am tomorrow (Friday 12th April) and demanding immediate action on the trade boycott. Be there tomorrow at 11.30 to show your support.
In recent months over 7,000 people have demonstrated on the streets of Dublin against war and against US foreign policy - not that the Irish Times have noticed! It's very important that we build a massive demonstration on the 27th to show our solidarity with Palestinians and Iraqis. Posters and leaflets for the demonstration and details of local buses being organised to Dublin on the 27th are now available. If you are free to help leaflet or poster please contact 087 7955013.
Start Date: 2002-04-11 01:00:00-04
End Date: 2002-04-18 01:00:00-04
Created By: tony thegreek
Comments
Just to let you know that the Derry Anti-War Coalition is running a bus to the April 27 protest in Dublin. You might want to include this in the next antiwar news. The bus leaves Derry at 10am from Foyle St bus depot, returning that night. Cost £10 (£5 concession). Phone 02871 286278 for tickets or further info. Best regards, Colm
Created By: colm bryce