Calls for Israel's destruction in London

The monster hatred that engulfed the world 70 years ago is alive and growing...

Extracts from an article by YAAKOV LAPPIN
Jerusalem Post Breaking News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World
May. 22, 2005 1:42 Updated May. 22, 2005 1:48

LONDON

A central London rally ... on Saturday heard ...MP George Galloway advocate a general boycott of Israel, as well as other speeches calling for Israel's destruction.

Dark gray clouds poured heavy rain on London's Trafalgar Square, as a crowd waving Palestine flags and anti-Israel banners filled the square to hear speakers shout vitriolic anti-Israel speeches. Demonstrators chanted Islamic slogans and flags calling for 'victory to the intifada' were waved.

Andrew Birgin, of the Stop the War Coalition, urged the destruction of the State of Israel. "Israel is a racist state...When there is real democracy, there will be no more Israel!" "Allahu Akbar!" yelled several men repeatedly in response.

The Palestinian representative to the UK, Husam Zomlot, also addressed the rally. "As we speak today, the Israelis are continuing the ethnic cleansing campaign they started in 1948...there will absolutely be no peace without the right of return...(which) is non-negotiable! ...!" exclaimed Zomlot.

"We urge our government to cease all trade with Israel," said Jeremy Corbyn, a backbench Labor MP, who went on to express support for nuclear spy Mordechai Vanunu.

Former Labor MP Tony Benn said that "the apartheid wall should be removed..." Calling American president George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon the "two most dangerous men in the world," Benn condemned America's military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Israel's anti-terrorism measures.

Paul Mackney, president of Britain's second largest university teachers' union, NATPHE, also spoke to the rally. "We stand in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters...We are calling on all unions to join us," he added. There has been speculation that NATPHE may hold a vote in its upcoming meeting to join the AUT's boycott of Israeli universities.

Galloway, the newly elected MP for the anti-Iraq war Respect Party, used the rally as an attempt to launch an international boycott of Israel. "It's about time that the British government made some reparations for the Balfour declaration... We will join (the Palestinians), by boycotting Israel..." he said to cheers and applause.

Azzam Tamimi, head of the Muslim Association of Britain: "I want Jaffa free, I want Haifa free, I want every inch of Palestine free!...the most racist form of nationalism is Zionism... the most racist on the face of the earth."

Stuart Pexley, a former Catholic bishop, and a member of Pax Christi, said: "Jesus Christ attempted to create a new humanity without divisions. As a Christian I am opposed to the apartheid wall."

For more (if you want more...) go to the whole article on the Jerusalem Post web site.