Thousands of people gathered at the US embassy in Jalan Tun Razak (last Friday, 9 Jan 2009), to protest against the ongoing Israeli brutal 13-day attack in Gaza, Malaysiakini reports.Eye-witnesses said that about 5,000 people started their march from the Tabung Haji building, located less than a kilometre away from the embassy, right after the Friday prayers.The march was organised by the Coalition of Concerned NGOs.
The marchers - which included PAS supporters - shouted anti-USA and anti-Israel slogans.Among the leaders that attended the rally were PAS Kuala Krai MP Dr Hattta Ramli, Youth chief and Kubang Kerian MP Salahuddin Ayub, PAS vice-presidents Mohammad Sabu and Husam Musa, PSM president and Kota Damansara assemblyperson Dr Nasir Hashim and the party’s secretary-general S Arutchelvan.They carried Palestinian flags, anti-US and Israel banners.
Most of the male protesters were seen wearing the traditional Palestinian scarves 'kaffeiyah' in a symbolic show of solidarity with the victims of the conflict.One female protester was seen carrying a baby doll wrapped in white cloth with smudges of red paint. Nearly a 100 children and infants have since perished in the conflict. Unlike past demonstrations at the embassy, police presence this afternoon was at a minimal with only members of the Light Strike Force deployed.The police however stopped the protesters from gathering directly outside the embassy but allowed a 15-member delegation led by Husam to submit a memorandum to the embassy officials.While the delegation met with embassy officials, protesters were seen burning, spitting and stomping on the Israeli flag.
Addressing the protesters after submitting the memorandum, Husam called the US ‘hypocritical’ and said the ‘global police’ would have reacted immediately if the victims were US citizens.
“I told them just now, if the victim was President George W Bush's daughter, the whole nation would act immediately. But since this is just ordinary Palestinian women and children, nobody cares,” he added.
The PAS leader also took a swipe at newly elected US president Barrack Obama for his ‘silence’ in this matter.
Meanwhile, about 200 people gathered at the Kampung Baru mosque to protest against the Israeli invasion, and burnt American and Israeli flags to show their anger.
This group was largely made up by Umno Youth members from the Titiwangsa division. who started their gathering after the Friday prayers and were led by an exco member from the division, Mohamed Muizz Shadik Mohamed.
And at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad addressed some 500 people in condemning the Israeli invasion into Gaza.He repeated his calls for a boycott of American products and their currency.
"People should boycott McDonalds and Starbucks for a month," he said. He also urged people to leave their jobs from American firms.The Malaysian Muslim Consumer Association also launched their boycott US campaign at the gathering. - Malaysiakini
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