by Patrick Keaney
On the fourth day of Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza, hundreds of Bostonians turned out to a rally to demonstrate their solidarity with the Palestinian people. The rally, which was organized by a coalition of pro-Palestinian groups, took place in front of the office building that houses the Israeli Consulate’s office in Boston’s Back Bay. The spirited rally was followed by a boisterous march from the Israeli Consulate to Copley Square, where preparations for Boston’s First Night were underway.
The Boston area has seen several highly visible demonstrations since the bombing began, including Sunday outside Park St. station, and Monday evening at Roxbury Crossing and Harvard Square in Cambridge. There was also a rally outside Sen. John Kerry’s downtown office Monday afternoon. But the demonstration Tuesday at the consulate was the largest yet, with approximately 200 people in attendance, and there appeared to be a broad cross-section of the activist community there.
With strong winds blowing several large Palestinian flags into the cold night sky, a picket line formed across the street from the consulate’s office. As dozens pro-Israeli counter-demonstrators gathered in front of the door to the consulate, the pro-Palestinian group started chanting “Occupation is a crime, from Iraq to Palestine!” and “Not another nickel, not another dime! No more money for Israel’s crimes!” A large police presence was visible from the outset, separating the two groups.
On a day when the death toll in Gaza neared 400, and with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declaring, “We are currently at the first stage of the operation,” it’s clear that a sustained campaign of resistance against Israel’s crimes is needed. Anyone interested in learning more about the issues and getting involved can visit http://bostonstandswithgaza.blogspot.com//.
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