Thousands rally in Egypt against Israeli violence in Gaza

An Egyptian protester holds a scarf with Arabic that reads "Al-Quds is ours," during a protest in solidarity with Gaza in Cairo on November 15, 2012

Source: Press TV

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/11/16/272665/egyptians-slam-israels-gaza-attack/

Thousands of people have rallied in Egypt to show their solidarity with the Palestinians over the recent escalation of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Egyptians marched in the country's two largest cities, Cairo and Alexandria, on Friday, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against Israel in condemnation of its murderous attacks on the besieged Palestinian enclave, the Associated Press reported.

In Tahrir Square, which lies at the heart of Cairo, hundreds of protesters burned an Israeli flag.

Influential cleric Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi also said the Muslim world would not remain silent in the face of Israel's military offensive against Gaza.

Meanwhile, several thousand protesters gathered outside Al-Azhar mosque after Friday Prayers and chanted, "We will go to Gaza in our millions," swearing to "sacrifice ourselves for you, Palestine."

"It's the least we can do. We need to show Israel our anger," protester Ahmed Selim said.

The demonstrations, called by President Mohamed Morsi, coincided with the visit to Gaza by Egypt's Prime Minister Hisham Qandil to offer support to Palestinians and pressure Israel to halt its violence.

The new wave of Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has claimed at least 25 lives since Wednesday. Ahmed al-Ja'abari, the popular and influential head of the Hamas military wing, the Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, was assassinated in an Israeli attack on his car on Wednesday.

The Israeli military frequently carries out airstrikes and other attacks on Gaza Strip, saying the actions are being conducted for defensive purposes. However, in violation of international law, disproportionate force is always used and civilians are often killed or injured.

Gaza has been blockaded since 2007, a situation that has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.

The apartheid regime of Israel denies about 1.7 million people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs that pay proper wages, and adequate healthcare and education.