People's Democracy

Protest Against Israeli Attack on Gaza-Bound Aid

The Committee for Solidarity with Palestine held a demonstration near the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi on June 2 protesting against the recent attack on ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Addressing  the gathering, Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau member and MP, Sitaram Yechury said the UPA government has shamelessly shied away from mentioning the name of Israel in the statement it issued on the attack on Gaza-bound aid Flotilla, even as the UN resolution condemning the attack names Israel.  He further said, the UPA government's policy of building bridges with Israel by buying armaments from it and developing trade relations is extending direct help to “the regime of aggression, expansion and occupation”.

He demanded the Indian government to cut off its economic relations with the Israeli government and help in putting an end to Israel's “war activities” and said Israel should vacate Palestine and other occupied territories of Arab nations.

Describing the May 31 attack by Israel on six ships in international waters as “reckless and senseless”, the protesters tried to march towards the embassy but were prevented by the police who had put barricades on the road. The Committee appealed to the people to organise such protests in order to force the United Progressive Alliance government to change its stand on the issue. CPI secretary Atul Kumar Anjan, MLA Shoaib Iqbal and Milli Council president Zafar Ullaha Khan also participated in the demonstration.