Stroud demonstrators brave the cold for Gaza vigil (From Stroud News and Journal)

Stroud demonstrators brave the cold for Gaza vigil

9:00am Tuesday 13th January 2009

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MORE than 100 demonstrators braved the cold during a vigil calling for an end to the Israeli bombardments of Gaza on Saturday.

After the hour long protest in Stroud high street campaigners vowed to return this week if the violence continues.

Martin Whiteside, a member of Stroud Peace Group who organised the vigil, said: "The strength of feeling on this is huge, it shows the people of Stroud care about what happens in the rest of the world.

"There is no way to justify this continued devastating assault and granting only three hours of respite a day is simply shameful."

Stroud mayor John Marjoram criticised the EU and UK Government for failing to use its political leverage to help end the conflict.

"We should not forget our own Government is implicated in the slaughter, since it continues to export arms to Israel," he said.

"Last year saw a major increase in the number of arms exports it licensed.

"There should be an immediate end to all arms exports from the EU but if that cannot be secured then the Prime Minister must act alone."

One of those at the vigil, James Beecher, 24, from Stroud, has a friend with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) who is on the frontline in Gaza.

Jenny Linnel was on Dignity – the first boat to deliver aid to the Palestinians - and she is now accompanying ambulance crews in Rafah in southern Gaza.

"It is important we protest to show that we want this crisis to end," said James.

"It seems hard to imagine that anything will stop Israel. I'm worried about Jenny but she reminds me to be more worried about the Palestinians out there whose houses are getting bombed."

On the same day there were protests in other parts of the country including Gloucester, Bristol and London.

On Sunday thousands of pro-Israel supporters gathered in Trafalgar Square to call for an end to the violence.

Organisers said they wanted people in Gaza and Israel to live in peace but argued that Palestinians must accept some responsibility for the conflict.

As the SNJ went to press around 850 Palestinians and 13 Israelis had been killed during the 16 days of fighting.

* Is Israel wrong to have launched the bombardment or is it justified in hunting out those who launch rocket attacks on its civilians? Comment at here or write to the usual address.

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