As they do every three weeks, British peace associations called for a national rally in London this Saturday, August 3, in support of Gaza. These marches are usually attended by several thousand people and call for an immediate ceasefire and an embargo on arms sales to Israel. But this week, with the assassination of Hamas’s political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, protesters are worried about a regional conflagration.
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With our correspondent in London, Emeline Vin
As he exits the metro, Tahar hands out placards and Palestinian flags. He has participated in 17 national marches, but this one has a special significance, with the assassination of the head of Hamas’ political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh. ” Of course it is special. The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh comes at a critical moment in the Middle East. The war could spread to the entire region, or even beyond. ” he explains.
Ismail Haniyeh was taking part in the ceasefire negotiations. Mary, wearing a rainbow keffiyeh, sees it as a deliberate act. I fear that Israel is trying to create a third world war, attacking everyone they can, with the approval of the United States and the United Kingdom. They might try to moderate Israelbut they don’t ” she says.
Like many, Anne believes that the British government bears some responsibility for this week’s events. They need to stop selling arms to Israel, even though they say they don’t sell many. The British government has been so timid it’s shocking. My mother is a Holocaust survivor, and I feel compelled to say that this doesn’t represent me. “The new British government has so far given no sign of an arms embargo.
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