LONDON, May 16, 2010 (WAFA) - Hundreds of demonstrators demanding justice for the Palestinian people gathered outside Downing Street Saturday, in the first rally outside the Prime Minister's residence since David Cameron moved in last week.
The new Government were presented with their first letter in Downing Street, asking them to take tougher measures to gain Israel's compliance with international law was read aloud outside the gates of Downing Street by the actor and comedian, Alexei Sayle. Lauren Booth was also there to support the calls for peace and justice.
The letter was then delivered to No 1O by MPs, union leaders, and heads of human rights organisations. A key in Palestinian colours, symbolising the loss of Palestinian land and homes to create Israel, was also delivered.
More than 40 leading figures, including MPs Sir Gerald Kaufman and Jeremy Corbyn, and film director, Ken Loach, had signed the letter.
The rally was organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Campaign, CND and the British Muslim Initiative to commemorate the Nakba, or Catastrophe, of 1948, when Palestine ceased to exist.
Hugh Lanning, chair of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: 'We want to hold this new government to account on international law, and we want the Lib Dems to fulfil the pledges they made to us before the election on fighting for the human rights of Palestinians.
'We hope the Lib Dems won't support this government on bringing forward proposals to end universal jurisdiction. This is the first test of the new government.'
Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith, said: 'This is a significant date on which we remember the injustice that has been done to the Palestinian people for more than 60 years. But it's also a time to look forward and to challenge the coalition government to take a fresh approach.'
The letter was delivered by Andy Slaughter, MP, Hugh Lanning, Lindsey German, convenor of Stop the War Coalition, Muhammed Sawalha, President of the British Muslim Initiative, Martin Linton, co-founder of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East, Baroness Jenny Tonge, Nick Crook of UNISON, and Simon Dubbins of Unite.
The letter demanded an end to Israel’s violations of international law, including its illegal occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, and to impose measures on Israel to gain its compliance.” Israel should no longer be allowed to violate international law with impunity, making a mockery of the international legal system and its institutions.”
It opposed any attacks on universal jurisdiction and help to bring those responsible for Israeli war crimes to justice. Britain must not place itself above international law by introducing legislation that will protect suspected war criminals, Israeli or otherwise, from prosecution should they enter the UK.
It asked to work to end Israel’s four-year siege of Gaza. Such a form of collective punishment is illegal, and was imposed because the Palestinians exercised their democratic rights to elect the MPs who represent them. In the name of human rights, international law and democracy, the siege must end immediately.
It called for banning the import of goods and produce from Israel’s illegal settlements into the UK. The settlements are built on land stolen from the Palestinians of the West Bank, and are illegal under international law. The UK has a duty not to economically aid these illegal structures through the import and sale of goods grown and produced in them.
It called to work to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Article 2 of the Agreement requires Israel to ‘respect human rights and democratic principles’. Yet, despite the fact that Israel is in gross breach of these principles, negotiations are currently underway to upgrade the Agreement. The UK must call an end to the hypocrisy which allows Israel to blatantly violate the terms of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, while continuing to enjoy its financial benefits.
The letter also called to end the UK’s arms trade with Israel. Israel has illegally occupied Gaza, is subjecting it to a brutal and illegal siege, and has launched military assaults on its trapped, civilian population. The UK must not be complicit in these violent and illegal actions, nor lend them legitimacy, through its sale of arms to Israel.
