Demonstrations against Israeli onslaught on Gaza

RABAT: Scores of thousands of Moroccans took to the streets on Sunday in the capital Rabat to condemn the Israeli “barbarous” offensive on Gaza, and denounce the Arab and international silence.

There were fifty thousands according to police figures, and far more according to organizers, to take to Rabat’s main streets and strongly denounce the Israeli raids, and call for the immediate halt of the offensive.

Demonstrators representing political parties, civil society NGO, lawmakers, professionals, youth, women, and human rights militants also vehemently denounced what they called “Arab and international silence and connivance” and urged the UN Security Council to shoulder its responsibility in ensuring protection for the Palestinian people.

The Security Council has to pressure on Israel to open the crossing points and let humanitarian aids into Gaza, and allow medical teams in the territory where casualties are counted by thousands in over a week of raids, demonstrators said.

At the end of the two-hour demonstration, a message read out by Khalid Soufiani, the coordinator of the action group for solidarity with Iraq and Palestine, saluted the Palestinian people for their “perseverance in resisting until victory is reached, whatever be its price.”

The message also called for the “immediate and unconditional opening of the Rafah crossing point (at the border with Egypt) to allow the circulation of people, foodstuffs, medicines and humanitarian aids, and to support all forms of assistance to the inhabitants of Gaza.” Tens of demonstrations were staged in the different cities of the north African country since the Israeli raids were launched over a week ago.

The latest press reports say the Israeli air and land strikes have, up to now, claimed a death toll of 514, and over 2500 injuries.

Monday, Xinhua