On Saturday, December 27, 2008, Israel had begun a campaign of airstrikes onto the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. A few days before, it was Hamas that announced an end to the six-month ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt. However, the ceasefire was shaky at the start. As Israel carried out airstrikes, Hamas continued its rocket attacks onto Israeli soil.
Soon, the Israeli airstrikes would bring international condemnation. Many had taken to the streets of London, Britain to protest the Israeli airstrikes. They had protested in front of the Israeli embassy.
So far, it has spelled out a major international problem for US President-Elect Barack Obama once he takes the office of US President on January 20. Obama will need to bring his S+ game. Perhaps the S+ game may not be good enough and will have to up it to S++ or S+++.
The protest that took place today in London was city-wide. It was not limited to the Israeli embassy. So far, some people were arrested. Luckily, it was considered a peaceful protest. The total of people that showed support for Palestine was around in the five-figures.
According to police, the numbers can go up to 12,000 people. According to the Stop the War Coalition, the number went up to 50,000. Most of the protesters held out the flags for Palestine.
Singer Annie Lennox said that both Palestinians and the Israelis were completely in the wrong. She adds that there is only a small window of opportunity to have talks for a ceasefire.
She said: “For every one person killed in Gaza, they are creating 100 suicide bombers. It’s not just about Gaza, it’s about all of us.”
Alexei Sayle, an actor and comedian who is Jewish, said that he is disappointed in Israel.
So far, other protests took place across Great Britain. One can say that while the British government has not condemned the Israeli airstrikes, the British people did not hesitate to condemn them at all.