bicycle
19-01-2009, 03:56 PM
HUNDREDS of protesters took to the streets of Cambridge to protest against Israel's attack on Gaza.
The action came a few hours before the Palestinian militant group Hamas announced an immediate ceasefire with Israel in Gaza.
On Saturday, Israel said it was prepared to instigate a ceasefire - but only if Hamas rocket attacks ceased.
A statement read by a Hamas spokesman said the group would hold fire for a week to give Israel time to withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip.
The cessation of hostilities was earlier cast into doubt by fresh rocket fire into Israel and an Israeli air strike on Hamas militants in Gaza.
As many as 500 people gathered in front of Cambridge Guildhall for Saturday's rally, before heading on a march through the city centre and then returning for speeches and a vigil.
The event was organised by city members of the Stop the War Coalition.
Avril Parkinson, from the Cambridge Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: "A lot more people will be aware of the situation and the background behind it now.
"The situation has got worse during the last three weeks, but Gaza has been under a medieval siege for the last 18 months. The people need the blockade and the siege to be ended."
Thousands of protesters took part in similar demonstrations across the UK.
Health officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza said at least 1,105 Palestinians had been killed and 5,100 wounded since Israel launched an offensive on December 27 to end the rocket attacks against its people, culminating in a tank-led land assault.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=381867
The action came a few hours before the Palestinian militant group Hamas announced an immediate ceasefire with Israel in Gaza.
On Saturday, Israel said it was prepared to instigate a ceasefire - but only if Hamas rocket attacks ceased.
A statement read by a Hamas spokesman said the group would hold fire for a week to give Israel time to withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip.
The cessation of hostilities was earlier cast into doubt by fresh rocket fire into Israel and an Israeli air strike on Hamas militants in Gaza.
As many as 500 people gathered in front of Cambridge Guildhall for Saturday's rally, before heading on a march through the city centre and then returning for speeches and a vigil.
The event was organised by city members of the Stop the War Coalition.
Avril Parkinson, from the Cambridge Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: "A lot more people will be aware of the situation and the background behind it now.
"The situation has got worse during the last three weeks, but Gaza has been under a medieval siege for the last 18 months. The people need the blockade and the siege to be ended."
Thousands of protesters took part in similar demonstrations across the UK.
Health officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza said at least 1,105 Palestinians had been killed and 5,100 wounded since Israel launched an offensive on December 27 to end the rocket attacks against its people, culminating in a tank-led land assault.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=381867