London: Thousands in Red Line for Palestine

Christians For Palestine were among thousands of protesters who formed a huge 'red line' in Westminster yesterday, calling for the UK to stop supplying weapons and military support to Israel, enforce sanctions and rush urgently-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the civilian population has been deprived of water, food and medicines for over two months.

Wearing red and carrying a long red banner - the line of people began to assemble at 11.30am extending around the Houses of Parliament and over the Thames across Lambeth Bridge and Westminster Bridge to coincide with Prime Minister's Questions at noon.

At least 54,607 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's war on Gaza since October 2023. The Israeli army resumed its attacks on March 18, breaking a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in January. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

Foreign secretary David Lammy announced two weeks ago that the UK had suspended trade negotiations with Israel because of Israel's 'indefensible' behaviour. Prime Minister Keir Starmer yesterday said the recent Israeli offensive was "appalling, counterproductive, and intolerable," - yet the UK government continues to supply weapons and military support to Israel.

Jeremy Corbyn MP yesterday called for an official independent inquiry into the UK government's role in the conflict in Gaza along similar lines to the official probe into the Iraq War. Corbyn proposed that the bill be read for a second time on Friday, July 4. He told the Commons: "The public deserves to know the full extent of the UK's complicity in these atrocities."

John McDonnell MP for Hayes and Harlington, told ICN: "A large number of MPs have walked out of Prime Minister's Question Time today to join the demonstration."

Among the MPs seen on the 'Red Line' were Paula Barker Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree, Kit Malthouse Conservative MP for NW Hampshire. Sir Roger Gale Conservative MP for Herne Bay and John Trickett MP Labour.

Shockatt Adam Independent MP for Leicester South, spoke with Rev Helen Burnett from Christians for Palestine. He said he'd recently visited the West Bank where he said the situation is "beyond heartbreaking."

Among celebrities joining the red line was singer Paloma who said: "I'm using my voice for the voiceless" and Stop the War coalition president and musician Brian Eno said: "If the government won't listen to, the people must raise their voices. That's what democracy is all about."

The playwright, actor and musician Justin Butcher spontaneously led a group singing protest songs including: 'We Shall Overcome' and 'Bella Ciao'.

The next national demonstration for Palestine will be on Saturday 21st June at 12pm. More details to follow.

LINKS

For more pictures from the day see ICN's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064591363750&ref=bookmarks#

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