Mumbai Protesters Condemn Israel's Actions in Gaza

A public protest was held at Azad Maidan on Wednesday, where around 250 citizens, political leaders, activists, and artists assembled to condemn the ongoing violence in Gaza and express solidarity with the Palestinian people. The protest was held between 3 pm and 6 pm and was organised by various left-wing parties and civil society platforms. The speakers denounced Israel's actions in Gaza, terming it as "genocide," and cited the International Criminal Court's warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Key Takeaways:

• The protest was organised by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, CPI(ML), CPI(ML) Liberation, PWP, Samajwadi Party, NCP (SP), and the Indian National Congress, along with civil society platforms such as the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO).
• The speakers condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, terming it as "genocide," and cited the International Criminal Court's warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
• The speakers also condemned the killings of journalists reporting from Gaza, calling it an attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence independent voices.
• The protest passed off peacefully, with participants carrying placards and banners calling for an immediate ceasefire, lifting of the blockade in Gaza, and protection of civilians and journalists.
• P. Sainath, founder and editor of the People's Archive of Rural India (PARI), referred to Mahatma Gandhi's statement in the Harijan Journal in 1938 which said, "Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English or France belongs to the French."
• Various speakers addressed the crowd, including CPI(M) leaders Vivek Monteiro and Prakash Reddy, activist Feroze Mithiborwala, Congress leaders Hussain Dalwai, Manoj Joshi, Dhananjay Shinde, and Sandesh Kondvilkar, Samajwadi Party representative Shabana Khan, and cultural figures including actor Swara Bhaskar, theatre personality Dolly Thakore, writer Beena Elias, editor of international magazine Gallerie, Bina Sarkar, and journalist P. Sainath.

Statistics:

• 250 citizens, political leaders, activists, and artists assembled at Azad Maidan to protest against Israel's actions in Gaza.
• The protest was organised by 9 left-wing parties and civil society platforms.
• The International Criminal Court has issued warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes.
• 2 protests were organised by CPI(M) at Azad Maidan this month, with the second one being granted permission by the Bombay High Court on August 12.

Sources:

• IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd.
• Contify.com