The unrest in the Middle East has taken a different toll recently as in the past few days, there have been heavy exchange of artillery between Israel and Palestine. Journalists have tied the unrest to the dispute between Palestine and Israel regarding land space and other resources. While Israel believes that Palestinians are trespassing so much on a space which isn’t theirs, the Palestinians strongly believe that the so-called trespassed space is actually their own space. This dispute has made the two Middle East nations bitter enemies, even to the point of war.
While there have been casualties on both sides, the Palestinians have taken a major blow as a greater number of casualties have been recorded in Palestine, children inclusive, compared to Israel. No doubt, the military firepower of Israel is far more than that of Palestine. However, Hamas, a strong militant group in Palestine seems to be giving Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, some headache. The militant group has, since on Monday night, sent in hundred of rockets into Israel. The Israeli forces have also given their response by bombarding the Gaza strip with heavy artillery.
Meanwhile, in London, individuals have come out to march in solidarity of the Palestinians. The marchers greatly condemn the actions of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The killings of children and teens which have been reported in various media outlets have sparked some outrageous controversies and criticisms against the Israeli Prime Minister.
The demonstrators went on a peaceful walk and were heard to be shouting “Free, Free Palestine” while they carried placards and banners, demanding that the Israeli forces stop their artillery bombing of Palestine.
The demonstrators didn’t just march and chanted. Some demonstrators went all the way to setting coloured smoke along Kensington High Street while some others climbed onto the top of buildings and bus stops. The demonstration attracted the attention of the Metropolitan Police who made no hesitation in maintaining law and order. However, the presence of the police didn’t go well with the demonstrators. A few number of the demonstrators threw eggs and some bottles at the police men and kept shouting “fuck the police”. One of the police officers sustained a minor head injury during the demonstration and had to be given medical attention.
A small number of the demonstrators were put into police custody but were subsequently released. Organisers of the demonstration are still calling for the UK Government to intervene as soon as possible in the crisis between Israel and Palestine and put to a halt, the killings of the Palestinians. The demonstrators started their march in Hyde Park at midday on Saturday and will end at the Israeli embassy.
While there have been propositions for peace talks by some intervening nations, the battle in the Middle East doesn’t seem to be coming down any time soon as tension continues to build up in Israel and Palestine.
