Janine
An emergency protest was held on Roundhay Road in Leeds to oppose the Israeli invasion of Rafah. Organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), the protest took place on Wednesday, May 29th. Demonstrators gathered outside KFC on Roundhay Road and marched to Roseville Road and back.
Approximately 100 people participated in the protest, which is part of a broader series of demonstrations organised by PSC. On the same day, another protest took place in St. George’s Square, Huddersfield, with further actions planned for June.
The protests are in response to Israel’s significant military operation in Rafah, launched on May 6, 2024. The operation commenced amid stalled ceasefire negotiations, airstrikes and ground incursions. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt has been closed, severely hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid and exacerbating the crisis. Hospitals in Rafah are struggling due to shortages of medical supplies, and critical infrastructure has suffered extensive damage. Rafah had previously been designated as a safe zone, with men, women and children using tents to shelter from the ongoing attacks.
The military action has resulted in the deaths of at least 210 Palestinians, with another 280 injured. Protests have been sweeping across the UK since the initial ground invasion on October 27, 2023. In Leeds, protests have been held every Saturday since then, highlighting ongoing public outrage and calls for an end to the violence.
The Leeds PSC continues to mobilise support and raise awareness about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, urging the international community to take action in order to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of essential aid.
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