Protestors are furious with both Israel and their own government, as the UK’s foreign office supports Israeli action
Story Transcript
Hassan Ghani
Theyâ€
The protests here are reminiscent of similar demonstrations held day after day during Israelâ€
And protestors say that support is in contrast to general public opinion.
Sarah Colborne, Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK
“The British government knows very well what public opinion is in this country, public opinion supports Palestinian rights, it supports justice, it supports peace. It does not support what William Hague is saying.â€
Hassan Ghani
William Hague, the British Foreign Minister, has laid the blame for the current Israeli bombing of Gaza, and the resulting deaths of civilians, squarely on the shoulders of Hamas.
William Hague, UK Foreign Secretary
“Hamas bears principal responsibility for this crisis. I utterly condemn rocket attacks from Gaza into southern Israel by Hamas and other armed groups. This creates an intolerable situation for Israeli civilians in southern Israel which have the right to live without fear of attack from Gaza.â€
Hassan Ghani
He failed to condemn Israelâ€
John Rees, Stop the War Coalition
“Israel, the fourth largest military power in the world, armed and supported by the biggest military powers in the world, armed with F16s, armed with predator drones, armed with missiles, armed with tanks – there is no equivalence between the Israeli state and the Palestinian resistance.â€
Jeremy Corbyn, Member of Parliament, Labour
“The West are showing no respect for the Palestinian people, by the presentation of their cause on their media, by the treatment of the Palestinian people and standing idly by, while bombs rain down on those poor people in Gaza city and other places.â€
John Rees, Stop the War Coalition
“This is a battle between David and Goliath, and we are on the side of David, and you, the oppressors, the exploiters, the armourers, the Tory government, you are on the side of the oppressors.â€
Hassan Ghani
I asked the protesters whether they felt a sense of futility, returning to the same spot to protest another Israeli attack, while their government ignored their views.
Anas Altikriti, British Muslim Initiative
“The governmentâ€
Hassan Ghani
There have been several protests outside the Israeli embassy over the past few days. And on occasion thereâ€
But Jews are split across both sides here, and the protests in solidarity with Gaza have boasted the presence of several diverse Jewish groups, much to the annoyance of some pro-Israelis, one of whom tried to stop Jews joining the Palestine protest, and then took a swing at our camera after he failed.
And despite his efforts, Jews opposing Israelâ€
Glyn Secker, Jews for Justice for Palestinians
“End the occupation, end the house demolitions, 27 thousand demolitions since 1967 – thatâ€
David Rosenberg, Jewish Socialistsâ€
“Israel often claims that it has the support of Jews the world over for what itâ€
Hassan Ghani
Similar actions have been held up and down the country. This one took place in Scotland, starting in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, and ending at the Scottish parliament. Others took to the streets, with or without cameras watching, in dozens of other towns and cities.
Back in London, the protests are set to continue as long as Israelâ€