Demonstration in support of Palestine Manchester

Israel has continued its brutal massacres in its occupation of Gaza in Palestine attacking displacement shelter centres as well as the bombing by its fighter jets on the schools. On August 8 it bombed Al-Zara, Abdul Fattah Hamoud schools resulting in 15 killed and dozens injured which was then followed by the bombing of the Al-Tabin school on August 10 killing at least 100 Palestinians during early morning prayers. Most of the victims were children and the elderly who were blown to bits by bombs and weaponry supplied and supported by the US and its allies including Britain.

Emergency Demonstration Stop the Massacre in Gaza, Downing Street, August 12

Following the massacre, Foreign Secretary David Lammy tried to distance the British government from this crime but only with a derisory "tweet" that showed how desperate the government is not to be seen to be confronting Israel seriously over its war crimes. The tweet said he was "appalled by the Israeli Military strike on Al-Tabin school and the tragic loss of life", but immediately tried then to put the blame on the Palestinian resistance in Gaza by claiming that "Hamas must stop endangering civilians" whilst lamely making the call that "Israel must comply with International Humanitarian Law". But of course, David Lammy and the government have no intention of holding Israel to account over international law and that has been seen with all their dealings in opposing the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In fact, as they have shown, they have every intention of continuing to support Israel in this genocidal war against the Palestinians.

Also, the German government deputy spokesman Wolfgang Buechner reiterated that "Israel has the right to defend itself" [1] justifying the massacre by blaming the Palestine resistance in the same way as Lammy. In a press release Hamas stated: "The massacre at Al-Tabin school in Daraj neighbourhood is a continuation of the Nazi-Zionist genocide against our people, and the US administration is complicit in such crimes." Hamas also stated that "the enemy fabricates pretexts to target civilians, schools, hospitals and tents of the displaced people, all of which are flimsy pretexts and blatant lies to justify its crimes" [2].

Following this massacre the US also approved a further $20 billion arms deal for Israel announced on Tuesday. The sale is said to include more than 50 F-15 fighter jets; Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, or AMRAAMs; 120 mm tank ammunition and high explosive mortars; and military vehicles. Trying to justify the unjustifiable sale of weapons to Israel the US State Department claimed: "The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defence capability." According to the State Department, "This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives."

This week also marks 100 days since Israel's occupation army began its closure and destruction of the Rafah border crossing, a closure that has led to the deaths of over 1,000 children, patients and wounded, unable to cross the border into Egypt to receive treatment. The humanitarian catastrophe continues on all fronts caused by the occupation army and their western allies. Everyone should support the Palestinians demand to open the Rafah crossing immediately.

Emergency Demonstration Stop the Massacre in Gaza, Downing Street, August 12

Such war crimes and genocide against the Palestinian people continue be justified and supported by western governments in spite of the massive opposition of the people in these countries demonstrating in their thousands almost on a daily basis. On Monday, August 12, thousands took part in an Emergency Stop the Genocide protest outside Downing Street asking how much longer are people going to have to see this genocide continue which is an affront to all humanity, whilst the government supports Israel in its war crimes.

The British and world's people are standing with Palestine. The people's forces must continue to build this fight and finish what the standing-with-Palestine movement has started, that is, to stop Britain's support for this genocide in its tracks. Our focus must be to urgently demand that the US and Britain take a genuine stance against Israel's bombardment and massacres in Gaza and halt all their military involvement in these crimes and their economic support and military aid to Israel.

After Parliament reconvenes on September 2, there will be a march for Palestine on Saturday, September 7 at 12 noon, when the demands "End the genocide, Stop arming Israel, No Middle East war, No to Islamophobia!" will once again resound in the streets of London.

Keep up the fight we have all started together!
Stop Israel! Stop Israeli genocide! Stop Britain's support for Israeli genocide and ethnic cleansing!
Support Palestine, Support the Palestinian resistance!

Notes
1. Germany says Israeli strike on Gaza school killing 100 Palestinians was 'self-defence' - Middle East Eye August 14 2024
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/germany-says-israel-strike-gaza-school-killing-100-palestinians-self-defence
2. Hamas Press Statement - August 10, 2024, Telegram

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