In Los Angeles: Solidarity Again with Gaza

By Susan Schwartz, TMO

Hundreds of angry protestors gathered at a pier terminal in the Port of Long Beach, Ca. this past Saturday to protest the arrival of  Israeli ship Zim Haifa. These protestors joined in spirit their brother and sister activists from Oakland and Tacoma who held similar direct actions in protest of Israeli attacks on Gaza that are escalating at an alarming rate. 

The protestors called themselves “Block the Boat – LA Coalition”  and were composed of various peace and human rights organizations. These organizations include (but are not limited to): American Muslims for Palestine (AMP); Jewish Voice for Peace – LA; ALAWDA (The Palestinian right of return); ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism); BDS-LA for Justice in Palestine; US Palestinian Community Network; International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network – Labor, and Global Women’s Strike.   

The action has been described as a continuation and expansion of the BDS (Boycott, Sanctions, Divest) program that is proving highly successful against Israeli interests. Comparing Israel to the former South African apartheid state, supporters of beleaguered Palestine are calling for similar measures against Israel, measures that proved so successful against apartheid South Africa.

The Palestine General Federation Trade Union (PGFTU) issued a call to Palestine supporters throughout  the world asking that workers refuse to handle Israeli goods.

Chants of “Gaza, Gaza, Don’t you Cry. Palestine will never Die”;”When People are Occupied, Resistance is Justified” and “”Netanyahu, You Can’t Hide; We Charge You With Genocide” could be heard throughout the hours of the protest. Signs protesting Israeli actions in Gaza and decrying racism were held high.

The event was publicized largely through e mails and the use of social media.

Taher Herzallah , the National Campus Coordinator of AMP, in describing the success of the action added: “It is imperative to keep the momentum going”

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