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Over 500
people demonstrated on 9 January in front of the US
consulate in West Jerusalem against President Bush’s visit to the region and American
policies in the Middle East.
Chanting
slogans in Arabic, Hebrew and English such as “No to the Occupation and War,
Yes to Peace” and “Children in Gaza and Sderot Want to Live,” the protesters sought
to remind everyone that while the US and Israel use the word peace, they are
perpetuating war and oppression.
Initiated
by the Hadash political party (Communist), the colorful demonstration
featured red flags and protest signs, whistles and drums and women from the Coalition
of Women for a Just Peace dressed as angels of death.
Muhammad
Barakeh, Knesset Member from the Hadash party, was on the front line of
the demonstration. Telling President Bush that he is a persona non grata, MK
Barakeh noted that “The American support of the Israeli occupation continues
the suffering of all people…in the Middle East,
Jews and Arabs, Palestinians and Israelis. We are here to demand…a peace
policy.”
The
demonstrators were surrounded by Israeli police and border patrol officers,
reflecting the extensive presence of the police and military throughout Jerusalem.
“Standing
directly next to Bush, Olmert clearly stated that Israel
will continue its illegal settlement of East Jerusalem, that Israel will continue to discriminate against
Palestinian citizens of Israel
in the name of Judaism and that Israel
will continue its military attacks against the residents of Gaza,”
noted Sergio Yahni of the Alternative Information Center
(AIC). “Bush and Olmert may call this a visit for peace, but all reports
indicate that the two are coordinating their efforts to continue destabilizing
the region for profit and political gain.”
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