Thousands in Pakistan protest against Israeli killings

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Several rallies were taken out across Pakistan Wednesday to condemn the recent killing of dozens of Palestinians by Israeli gunfire.

The rallies by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) - Pakistan's main religious political party - were taken out in southeastern Karachi, northwestern Peshawar and northeastern Lahore cities.

In Peshawar, protesters chanted slogans "Jerusalem is red line for Muslims" and "Down with America, down with Israel".

In Karachi, protesters held banners reading "Free Palestine" and "Jerusalem is Muslim".

JI Karachi chief Naeemur Rahman told the gathering: "We strongly condemn the massacre of innocent Palestinians by Israeli army and demand the United Nations and OIC to take decisive actions against the Israel."

In addition, people in different districts of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces also took to the streets to condemn the killing on the Gaza-Israel fence.

The speakers also appreciated the role of the Turkish leaders in taking a stand against Israel and the US.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said a Palestinian Solidarity Day would be seen across the country on Friday.

On Monday, at least 62 Palestinian demonstrators were martyred - and hundreds more injured - by Israeli troops deployed along their side of the Gaza-Israel fence.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 100 Palestinian demonstrators have been martyred by the Israeli army gunfire since the Gaza rallies began on March 30; at least seven minors and an 8-month-old baby are among those killed.

Monday's demonstration had coincided with Israel's 70th anniversary - an event Palestinians refer to as "The Catastrophe" - and the relocation of Washington's embassy to Jerusalem, which also took place Monday.

Last week, the Israeli government said the ongoing protests along the Gaza-Israel fence constituted a "state of war" in which international humanitarian law did not apply.