Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Aid Ships - Protest

Icon_article Published: June 06, 2010 22:48 by Northern Indymedia |

Tagged as: aid anti-militarism flotilla_attacks israel palestine repression seige social_struggles
Neighbourhoods: bradford leeds manchester newcastle sheffield york
Published by group: Group

IMC Northern England

On Monday 31st May 2010, as a flotilla of ships carrying aid supplies sailed towards Palestine, Israeli troops boarded them, whilst in International waters, and attacked those on board.

People all around the world reacted to the attacks, and many protests were held in the north of England.

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The 'Freedom Flotilla', a group of 6 ships loaded with medical supplies, building materials and school books, was bound for the Gaza Strip. It was planning to break the 3 year siege on the area by delivering much needed aid. The 'Mavi Marmara', a large passenger ferry, was carrying 600 activists. It was illegally boarded and attacked by Israeli commandos while in international waters. It had not yet entered the 68 mile exclusion zone off the coast of Israel.

After two people were killed during the attacks the white flag, international symbol of surrender, was raised, yet firing from Israeli forces continued. In total 9 people were killed. The 6 ships were then all siezed and a near blackout of information ensued.

Emergency protests were called all over the world and millions of people voiced their opposition to Israel's actions. In Bradford a small protest was held on 1st June, 100 people gathered on 2nd June and nearly 1200 people took to the streets on Saturday 5th June. Newcastle saw several hundred protestors gather in the city centre on Tuesday. In Manchester over 800 people gathered outside the BBC buildings. Protests were held in Leeds on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th outside the Art Gallery. Protestors in Liverpool have posted a video online of their event. In Sheffield speeches were made in the city centre at a large protest.

Various campaign groups have called for a renewed vigour to be applied to the boycott of Israeli goods. Many large companies and corporations support the Israeli government. Goods such as oranges, avacados and dates are grown in both Israel and the Palestinian terrotories which Israel occupies. These goods are sold throughout the UK and are included in the boycott.