Protests in Delhi over Gaza crisis

New Delhi, Aug 10: Nearly 250 people, including activists, artists and school children, protested here demanding India should boycott all collaborations and end military ties with Israel because of its continued operations in Gaza.

Representatives from 70 organisations gathered at the Jantar Mantar Saturday evening. They issued statements and speeches, and recited songs and poetry that labeled Israel as "intruders" who had encroached illegally on Palestinian territory.

"We want our government to boycott all forms of direct and indirect collaborations with Israel and end all military ties with Israel, including purchase of arms," said activist Shabnam Hashmi.

Shahid Ali, the president of United Muslim Front, asked how would anyone feel if an "intruder comes into your house and claimed it to be his?"

"The same thing has happened with Palestinians. The land which Israel is claiming to be their own is actually of Palestinians. When they refused, Israel started brutally killing them. They didn't even spare children and women," he said.

Many protestors wore masks depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and shouted slogans "Modi stop supporting Israel".

School children too protested against Israeli's brutal air strikes on the Gaza strip that has killed over 1,800 Palestinians, most of them civilians.

The children carried banners that read "Save Gaza People".

Malviks Aeron, a student of class 8, recited a poem titled "I dream if I were a Palestinian".

"I am here for peace in the world. I am here to show that we have zero tolerance towards violence. And I want friendship among all the nations of the world," she added.

IANS