On September 21, around 50 Israeli activists — organized by Return, the Coalition of Women for Peace and Jews for Return — demonstrated in Malaka, located right next to the Gaza border, in solidarity with the Palestinians participating in the Great March of Return for the 26th Friday in a row.
Israeli activists flew Palestinian flags and had a banner that said: “Liberate the Gaza ghetto” and contacted the organisers of the Great March of Return by phone to express solidarity.
“We came here today to express solidarity with the Great March of Return and we demand that all the people that were deported from their homes and towns and villages in ’48 be allowed to go back,” said Yossi, an activist from Return.
“I wish to say to everybody that we welcome your movement and your steps towards showing your solidarity with us, with our movement to get rid of the misery we are living in in Gaza,” said Issam Hamas, from the High Commission of the Great Return March.
After the demonstration had taken place for about half an hour, the army declared the area a closed military zone and demanded that everyone leave. While the Israeli activists left this time, they promised to come back to stand together with the Gaza people against the siege and their right to a fair and just life.
The Great Return March demands the internationally recognised right of return for Palestinian refugees — and their human rights — to be respected, and for the Gaza siege to be lifted. At least 312 Palestinian protestors were injured during Friday’s protest, including 54 by gunfire, while Karim Mohammed Kullab, 25, was killed. Over 180 unarmed protestors, medics and journalists have been killed during the protests since March 30.
All our videos are taken by photographer Haim Schwarzenberg, who documents Israeli oppression in various struggles. Please go to his website to discover more of his work.
Return Solidarity 