Cries of “Liberate, liberate Palestine”, several thousand people demonstrated on Friday in the heart of New York to demand an end to “Israeli colonization” and denounce the United States’ support for Israel, while expressing their fears. in the face of military operations in Gaza.
In the megacity at the crossroads of all communities and religions, a swarm of Palestinian flags was visible on Broadway Avenue, between 40th and 42nd streets, a stone’s throw from Times Square, AFP journalists noted.
Mostly young, and of all origins, wearing keffiyehs and scarves, the demonstrators called for the “liberation” of “Palestine” and accused Israel of “genocide”, six days after the deadly Hamas attacks, which killed more than ‘a thousand civilians in Israel. Since then, Israel has relentlessly bombed the Gaza Strip and called on the civilian population to evacuate the north of this poor territory, auguring a vast ground offensive.
“I am extremely worried, this has to stop,” declared at the heart of the demonstration a 43-year-old professor, Liz Zacharia, who has lived in New York for 12 years after growing up in California, of a father “ originally from Jerusalem. For her, “Israel’s colonial project must stop now, because it only increases the cycle of violence and oppression of Palestinians.”
Many signs call for an end to “genocide” or “apartheid” on the part of Israel. “From the river (Jordan) to the sea, Palestine will be free,” the demonstrators also chant, a slogan considered as a call for the destruction of the State of Israel by Jewish organizations. Many banners also ask the United States to end its “support” for Israel.
“It is my duty, not only as a Muslim, but also as a human being, to demonstrate with everyone against the crimes that the Israeli occupation has caused to the Palestinian people,” explains Laibah Faiaz, 21. . “No one recognizes the extent of the destruction they inflicted on these innocent people,” she adds.
Since Saturday, New York, a megacity of 8 to 9 million inhabitants, including 1 to 2 million Jews, has lived to the rhythm of demonstrations in support of the Palestinian cause and vigils or demonstrations in solidarity with the Israeli victims of Hamas attacks. . Like the rest of the United States, many gatherings take place on campuses, such as at the prestigious Columbia University.
13/10/2023 23:48:45 – New York (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
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2023-10-13 21:50:00
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