Real News From Syria: Global Protests Staged as Fears of Gaza Ground Invasion Escalates

Global Protests Staged as Fears of Gaza Ground Invasion Escalates

Local Editor

The Zionist airstrikes on Gaza have sparked global protests condemning the attack. Thousands of people across the Middle East, the West, and Europe have come out to show their disdain. Israel's Operation Pillar of Cloud – which began Wednesday and has claimed the lives of 39 Palestinians and four Zionists so far, according to Palestinian local media – has divided the international world. In Egypt's capital, Cairo, several thousand protesters came out Friday to demonstrate against the aggressive assault, chanting "we will go to Gaza in our millions," swearing to "sacrifice ourselves for you, Palestine." In the West Bank city of Ramallah, more than 1,000 people have gathered to show their support for Gaza. In Lebanon, thousands turned up in Palestinian refugee camps in the north and south of the country to show their outrage on the Zionist violence, shouting "O Qassam, O beloved, bomb and destroy Tel Aviv," referring to the rocket and the armed wing of Hamas of the same name. In Iran, over 700 cities saw anti-Zionist protests after Friday's prayers, including Tehran. Crowds there were chanting "death to Israel" and "death to America," ISNA news agency reported. Arabs from East Jerusalem also rioted, throwing stones at security officers, blocking roads and setting off fireworks near the hospital in Isawiya, according to Algemeiner news. The international community has been coming together to offer solutions to the crisis. Foreign ministers of Arab League countries are gathering on Saturday in Cairo for an emergency meeting to outline a consolidated position on the ongoing offensive against Gaza. The UN's Security Council held an emergency meeting on the conflict. After the meeting UN has urged for the violence in Gaza to stop. However, no other substantial solutions were reached due to disagreement between member states. Further, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon made a statement Friday telling both sides "to stop this dangerous escalation and restore calm," and announcing his plans to visit the Occupied Territories and Egypt next week. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called on Zionist authorities and Palestinians to show restraint Friday and "not follow the path of escalating violence that often results in the death of innocent civilians." Also, Tunisian Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem has arrived in Gaza on Saturday along with 12 other ministers. This trip comes after the Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil's visit to the region Friday. During his visit, Kandil tried to broker a new longer-lasting ceasefire. He took a strong public pro-Palestinian stance. "What I am witnessing in Gaza is a disaster and I can't keep quiet. The Israeli aggression must stop," Kandil stated. "Egypt supports the Palestinians, Israel's actions will not go unnoticed." The Western world also saw protests Friday. In Rome, an anti-Zionism sit-in was organized in the Italian parliament, calling upon the international community to put an end to the massacre of Palestinian people in Gaza and to stop the "Israeli war-machine". The cities of Venice, Palermo, Ravenna and Trento have joined Rome and carried out demonstrations of their own. Earlier demonstrations were held in New York, Paris, and Sydney calling for an immediate end to the attacks on Palestinians. So far, the Zionist entity has hit over 500 targets, killing 39 Palestinians, including dozens of civilians and wounding over 340.   http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=74591&cid=56&fromval=1&frid=56&seccatid=249&s1=1