Protesters march for Palestine

By ANGELA GREGORY

Hundreds of Palestinians have marched up and down Queen St to protest at Israel's fierce West Bank offensive.

In a passionate display of anger on Saturday, they shouted and chanted as they went, waving their fists in the air.

Children in pyjamas carried signs with messages such as "Religion of Moses condemns the murder of innocent children".

Other signs contained Nazi imagery and compared Israel to a "modern-day Hitler".

Some denounced American involvement in the conflict and called United States President George W. Bush a terrorist, along with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

The 400 or so noisy protesters marched past the United States consulate in Customs St East.

They called for a free Palestine and an end to Israeli occupation, and asked New Zealand to cut ties with Israel.

A march spokesman, David Wakim, said that it took a lot for Palestinians here to demonstrate.

"They don't usually come out. They are cowed by the situation in their homeland and wary that by showing their faces their families could be victimised during this rotten occupation."

Mr Wakim said the protesters had come from all over Auckland, and many were students.

The march was organised by the Students for Justice in Palestine group, from Auckland University, and supported by the Palestinian Human Rights Campaign.

Another rally outside the US consulate is scheduled for tomorrow evening.

Feature: Middle East

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UN: Information on the Question of Palestine

Israel's Permanent Mission to the UN

Palestine's Permanent Observer Mission to the UN

Middle East Daily

Arabic News

Arabic Media Internet Network

Jerusalem Post

US Department of State - Middle East Peace Process