Thursday, January 15

Kevin Rudd's Brisbane electorate office hit by Gaza protesters

PICTURES of dead Palestinian children have been posted on the windows of Kevin Rudd's Brisbane electorate office as dozens protest the Gaza crisis.

About 40 protesters, chanting "Free, free Palestine," marched on the Prime Minister's office in Morningside this afternoon to deliver almost 2000 letters and petitions demanding the Australian Government take a stronger stance against Israel's actions in Gaza.Mr Rudd, the Member for Griffith, is on leave. Since being elected prime minister in November 2007 he has spent much of his time in Canberra or overseas.

In addition to the pictures of dead Palestinian children, demonstrators waved signs reading "USA-Israel Axis of Evil" and "Stop Israel's massacre in Gaza".

A small police presence watched over the noisy but peaceful demonstration.

Justice for Palestine spokesman Mr Abdalla likened Israel's actions to apartheid South Africa and even those of Nazi Germany.

"The apartheid state of Israel has blatantly broken every United Nations resolution that has been put towards it in killing Palestinian children, Palestinian civilians, and justifying it by saying that it is Hamas that have killed them," he said.

"We're asking the Prime Minister to adhere to United Nations resolutions towards Palestine, to stop Israeli terrorism, to stop what Israel is doing to the Palestinians and speak up against it."

Aisha, a Turkish Australian, said she was very angry with the situation in Israel.

"Hundreds of kids are lying dead their graves because of the Israeli oppression - not just now, for decades," she said.

Mark Gillespie, of East Brisbane, said the Government had turned a blind eye to Israel's behaviour.

"We're disappointed with the position that (Acting Prime Minister) Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd have taken on Israel's violence. We think it's disproportional and they should be saying that loud and clear," he said.

Protest organiser Sarah Giles was hoping to build on last weekend's turnout of 2000, with more protests scheduled in the coming weeks.

She said there would be protests the next two Saturdays, January 17 and 24, at noon at Queens Park on the corner of George and Elizabeth streets in the Brisbane CBD.

"We're trying to get the word out to everyone who opposes what's going on and opposes the attack on Gaza to come along," she said.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said the Government was deeply concerned about the continuing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

"The death of Palestinian civilians in conflict is tragic and we urge Israel to ensure that it takes all precautions to avoid and minimise harm to civilians,'' she said.

"The Australian Government supports the proper investigation of allegations of violations of international law.

"These events further underline the need for negotiations to deliver an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire.''

The spokeswoman said the Government announced an immediate commitment of $5 million in additional assistance to the people of the Gaza Strip on January 1.

This builds on the doubling of Australia's assistance to the Palestinian people in 2008 to $45 million.
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