Published: Wednesday, 14th January, 2009 10:51am

Gaza protest in town centre

Print | Email

ANGRY demonstrators brought shoppers to a halt on Wednesday in a town-centre rally against the Israeli bombing of Palestinians in Gaza, which has killed nearly 400 militants and civilians.

More than 100 protesters, led by the Reading Muslim Council and the Buckinghamshire and Berkshire Palestine Solidarity campaign met in Broad Street, chanting through megaphones, waving Palestinian flags and handing out leaflets.

The demonstration, which started at midday and ran until the afternoon, had been organised by activists 24 hours earlier through the internet and mobile phone.

University of Reading Politics student, Rachael Horwitz, who is of Jewish origin, said: "It's a really good turnout, it's really good that the people of Reading are supporting human rights. It's far better than sitting back and doing nothing."

The current crisis started at the weekend, when Israel's military swung into action against the rocket bombs directed at the south of the country from Hamas-controlled Gaza.

Bucks and Berks Palestine Solidarity Campaign chairman, Paul Timperley, said: "We feel it's an absolute disgrace, our government's spineless reaction to the attack and its refusal to condemn the attack and its fatality and bring an end to the bombardment of Gaza.

"We've got people here from the Conservative party, Labour party and people from the Lib Dems. We've got Muslims, Jews, Christians and atheists. This is a broad demonstration of ordinary Reading people."

Reading Muslim Council secretary, Mustafa Chaudhary, said: "We're appalled by what's going on in Gaza and frustrated by the media coverage.

"It's a spontaneous demo but feelings are running high and people are very frustrated our own government has been silent on this."