Large crowd in London protests Israeli military raid on Jenin

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Protesters staged a mass rally in central London on Wednesday against Israel's "apartheid policies" and the Israeli military’s raid on the West Bank city of Jenin and its refugee camp.

After an "emergency protest call" by various groups, they gathered outside the Israeli Embassy at 6 p.m. (1700GMT) carrying signs expressing solidarity with Palestinians and bearing slogans including "Freedom for Palestine," "End Apartheid," "Stand with Jenin" and "Stop the Massacre."

Some Orthodox Jews were among those attending the protest along with some socialist groups as well as Palestinian solidarity groups including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Palestine Forum in Britain.

Speaking at the rally, Carol Turner, an official from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), expressed their stance against the Israeli occupation and support for a free Palestine.

Touching on the UK's anti-boycott bill, which plans to fine public bodies that initiate boycotts against Israel, she stressed that this "specifically protects Israel."

Turner also urged the British government to end its military support to Israel.

Scottish National Party (SNP) member of parliament Tommy Sheppard condemned the military raid in Jenin, saying he hoped today's protest would make the Israeli government aware of the international pressure against its actions.

"I come here also to oppose the ongoing oppression of the Palestinian people, the occupation which has been going on for so many years, the daily system of oppression," he said.

Sheppard said the current government in Tel Aviv is the "most anti-Palestinian government" there has ever been in the history of Israel.

Blaming the British government for remaining silent on what is happening and for "doing nothing" for a two-state solution, he said that instead of condemning Israel’s attacks, the government "seems to be opening their doors and rolling out the red carpet for them."

"We are not motivated by anti-Semitism. We are not condemning these Israeli soldiers because they are Jewish...We condemn them because of what they do, because of their actions repressing and suppressing their neighbors in that part of the world, and that condemnation will continue for as long as I have breath in my body," he added.

Shamiul Joarder from the British pro-Palestine group Friends of Al-Aqsa highlighted the importance of continuing to express solidarity with Palestine in the face of Israeli attacks.

Joarder said that along with solidarity, there is a need for boycotts and sanctions against Israel and there is a need to take steps for a free Palestine.

Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was also among attendees at the demonstration, stressing his opposition to Israeli attacks and solidarity with the Palestinian people.

He also called on all members of parliament to vote against the anti-boycott bill.

People later held a march while chanting slogans against Israeli policies against Palestinians, including "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

The Israeli raid on Jenin came amid rising tensions across the occupied West Bank in recent months amid repeated Israeli raids into Palestinian towns.

At least 12 Palestinians were killed and more than 140 injured in the latest offensive, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Five of the fatalities were minors.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are considered illegal.