London: huge show of solidarity with Gaza

Sarah Sachs-Eldridge
Channel 4 reported that “it took them over 30 minutes to pass Nelson's column.”

Channel 4 reported that “it took them over 30 minutes to pass Nelson’s column.”   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

A human wave of anger and sadness wended its way through London on Saturday 19 July. Anger at the savage actions of the Israeli government after its launch of a ground offensive the previous Thursday on this most densely populated patch of land.

And sadness at the rising death toll, now over 350, almost all civilians and including many children.

Many of the victims of the Israeli state attack have been children

Many of the victims of the Israeli state attack have been children   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

The UN estimates that there are now 50,000 internally displaced people driven to flee their homes when Israeli forces threaten attack.

The demo was huge. Organisers estimate that up to 100,000 marched in London. Coming from as far afield as Scarborough, Preston and Cardiff, they expressed their emotions loudly and energetically. The march was a sea of placards and signs and the chants thundered down the road as hordes of mainly young people made their presence felt.

Huge demo

Channel 4 reported that: “It took them over 30 minutes to pass Nelson’s column.” The Daily Mail and the others who estimate 15,000 on the march only show their propensity to lie.

Protesters’ rage was also directed towards Prime Minister Cameron and the Tories. They continue to back the Israeli government’s actions. On the day of the march US President Obama and Cameron are reported to have discussed Gaza. Their outrageous but not unexpected conclusion? A No 10 spokeswoman said: “Both leaders reiterated their support for Israel’s right to take proportionate action to defend itself from the barrage of rocket attacks from Gaza.”

Between 2008 and 2012, arms export licenses worth £180 million were issued to Israel under both the previous Labour government and the current Con-Dem coalition, according to official government data.

Capitalist media bias

There was also frustration, particularly with the reporting of the onslaught on Gaza by the mainstream press, especially the BBC. One woman had brought her own petition condemning the reporting. Many had made placards that strongly criticised the capitalist owned press and the BBC.

In a particularly contemptible example of bias and downright lies the Spectator reported that: “Thousands of anti-Semites have today succeeded in bringing central London to an almost total standstill.” While accurately reflecting the massive size of the march, what is shocking is just how far from the truth is the claim of ‘anti-Semitism’.

At the protest at the Israeli embassy on the previous Friday,a group of Jews against Zionism received by far the loudest cheers. The appetite for cooperation between Palestinians and ordinary Jewish workers and young people to remove the Israeli ruling class was a feature of many discussions on Socialist Party stalls.

There was significant interest in socialist ideas

There was significant interest in socialist ideas   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Interest in socialism

The Socialist Party petition opposing the onslaught and demanding an end to Israeli state terror, called for the building of a mass struggle of the Palestinians under their own democratic control. It gained enormous interest and support among demonstrators, especially the youth. Socialist Party stalls were inundated with interest in the ideas we were putting forward. Many of those who stopped had drawn the conclusion that war only benefits the super-rich and super-powerful, while ordinary people suffer. People were keen to share ideas and to debate what is needed so we don’t have to march against Israeli state atrocities in a year or so again.

There was significant interest in socialist ideas in general. Reflecting this, hundreds of pounds were donated to assist the Socialist Party in spreading its ideas. The three Socialist Party members from Hackney and Tower Hamlets branches raised almost £100 on just one stall. Three members of the Waltham Forest branch sold over 80 papers between them. A member from Lambeth collected ‘join cards’ from 16 people.

Demonstrations also took place in many other cities and towns, both across Britain and across the world. From Australia to Brazil, and the US to inside Israel itself, members of the Socialist Party’s sister parties also participated and put forward a strategy for liberation for the Palestinians.

Powerful opposition

This demonstration in London and the hundreds of others that took place reflect only a fraction of the solidarity there is for the long-suffering Palestinians. Many workers already recognise the need for solidarity with the Palestinians as a trade union issue. Trade union banners and contingents on future demonstrations, should the situation demand it, would be welcomed and would add to the power of the opposition to Israeli state terror.

With the news that the Israeli government plans to expand its ground invasion, the urgent need for ideas that can arm the Palestinian masses to win their national liberation grows. The speakers at the closing rally outside the Israeli embassy reflected the enormous anger and pointed to the injustice and horror taking place. How much more powerful and effective would have been combining these vital points with an explanation of the ideas necessary to end the injustice and inequality that blights the world and destroys so many lives?

London Socialist Party: How can the war on Gaza be stopped?

Tuesday 22 July

6.30-8pm

WEA Centre (Workers Educational Association)

96-100 Clifton Street,

London EC2A 4TN.

5 mins from Old Street tube or Shoreditch High Street (off Epworth St/ Scrutton St)

ALL WELCOME

This meeting is open to anyone across London who is interested in what the Socialist Party has to say on this or on any other issue – come to find out more and join us