LAHORE: Hundreds of people gathered at the Liberty Roundabout in Gulberg on Monday to express solidarity with the people of Palestine facing brutal violence at the hands of Israel for over a week now.

Wearing masks and even face shields, the young and old people from all walks of life attended the demonstration organised by a group of youths to create awareness about the Israeli war crimes being committed against the innocent Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah and the Gaza Strip.

Most of the demonstrators were holding posters and placards inscribed with slogans and appeals. The charged-up youngsters shouted slogans and waved Palestinian flags in support of the residents of Gaza and against Israeli cruelty.

Hiba Moeen, one of the participants, thought the people of Pakistan couldn’t do much for the Palestinians, “but this is a feeble attempt to show solidarity with them. I think this is the least we can do right now”.

Zarwa Suleman said: “I’m a mother so I can feel the pain. Children are dying over there. We feel we have to come out of our homes so we can pressurise our government and other countries to stand for Gaza, speak for it and stop this terrorism.”

Another demonstrator, Sualiha Nazar, felt the protest was very important.

“While we have not been able to do much, we can boycott Israeli products till they stop this suppression. I think we all need to show support for Palestinians,” she added.

Actor Fawad Khan also attended the demonstration along with his family.

The participants were asked to attend in droves along with their families and friends to show support and stand in solidarity with Palestine. They come along with children too. The organisers had asked for strict adherence to the Covid-19 standard operating procedures and use of face masks was mandatory. Regarding posters, the demonstrators were asked to keep them focused on Palestine and ensure they were not anti-Semitic.

PTI: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s National Peace Committee also staged a protest demonstration on The Mall against the Israeli aggression on innocent Palestinians.

PTI Parliamentary Leader in the Senate Ejaz Chaudhry led the demonstration that was attended by a large number of party workers,.

Speaking to the media, Mr Chaudhry said the PTI strongly condemned Israeli aggression and demanded all the Muslim countries develop a joint strategy to halt the killings of Palestinians.

LCCI: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) condemned Israel’s assault against unarmed Palestinians and urged the government to raise the issue at all international forums effectively.

“The business community condemns Israel’s brutal use of force, including aerial bombing, resulting in the deaths of nearly 200 innocent Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, as well as destruction of civilian infrastructure,” LCCI President Mian Tariq Misbah, Senior Vice President Nasir Hameed Khan and Vice President Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry said in a statement.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2021