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Monday 7 July 2014

Activists protest the Israeli enforced collective punishment as more children are victimised


The Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign protest in Aberdeen saw activists from across the North East of Scotland come together in St Nicholas Square on Saturday 5th July, to stand in solidarity with Palestine, and to protest the latest instance of Israeli enforced collective punishment and the biased mainstream media coverage in the UK. 

Activists from Dundee and Perth joined over 30 others from a range of organisations and communities, demonstrating the diversity of the support and solidarity with Palestine. 

As the demonstration took place a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5N7ZKfitew) emerged from Palestine showing a brutal attack by Israeli Occupation Forces on 15 year old Tarek Abu Khdeir, the cousin of Mohammad Abud Khdeir who it has now been confirmed was tortured and burnt alive last week.  A press release from the Khdeir family detailed the attack on Tarek:

“Despite needing critical medical attention for severe injuries to his head and face, the Israeli authorities denied medical treatment for 5 hours before he was transferred to Hadassa Hospital. He was then taken directly to court and is currently in detention at the notorious Russian compound (al-Maskobiya), known for brutal interrogation techniques.”

“His father, Salah Abu Khdeir, asked that his son be seen at a hospital of the family’s choosing, but was denied, and was subsequently denied having an Arab doctor present during Tarek’s treatment. Although his son was unconscious, he was chained to the bed. While in the hospital, his face had swollen to a degree to which he could not speak when conscious and blood was also found in his urine, concerning family that there could be internal bleeding...”

“Tarek is in dire need of medical attention and his family is calling for his immediate release after this brutal beating and arbitrary arrest.”
Speeches were delivered by the Chair of the Aberdeen branch of CND and the Imam of Aberdeen mosque.  Vice-chair of Aberdeen SPSC branch Ally Coutts spoke at the demonstration on recent events, highlighting the way Israel is once again using the violence of a few individuals to justify collective punishment of Palestinians and to vilify and isolate Hamas.  A statement from Gazan grassroots activist Rafat Abushaban was then read out, detailing the impact of the latest Israeli airstrikes on those living in the besieged Gaza Strip. 

Aberdeen SPSC thanked everyone who helped make the demonstration a success.  
You too can take action!!
·        Write to your MP, visit:
www.act.palestinecampaign.org/lobby/crisisaction
 ·        Join your local Scottish PSC group, email Aberdeen@scottishpsc.org.uk , visit facebook.com/spscaberdeen
·        Support the Palestinian Civil Society call for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Campaign.  Visit www.coordin8.org.uk and http://www.bdsmovement.net/