Activists of the Communist Party Of India (Marxist) on Wednesday organised a protest rally against the attacks by Israeli Commandos on an aid ship bound for the Gaza Strip. An effigy symbolising the state of Israel was set on fire at Indira Park.
Talking to media persons at the protest rally, CPM secretary P S N Murthy said that the party condemned the Israeli attacks on the ship bound to provide aid to innocent and helpless Palestinian citizens. He said that Israel, in its defence, was even shamelessly justifying the attack on the Turkish Ship Movi Marmara which was carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian relief supplies for Gaza residents who have been reeling under a blockade for the past 3 years.
Murthy expressed anger against the brutal strikes in international waters, which claimed 19 innocent Palestinian civilians. "Israel's continuous aggression on a sovereign country and the killings of innocent civilians and the blockade of human relief becomes a cause of concern to all in the country as well as the international community," he said.
He alleged that the strikes were being carried out at the behest of the United States Of America, and said that as long as the unholy nexus between Israel and the United State continues, such attacks will go on.
Murthy pointed out that according to a United Nations report last year, on an average it had taken 85 days to get shelter kits into Gaza and 68 days to provide health and pediatric hygiene kits and 39 days for house hold utensils such as bedding and kitchen appliances.
He said that the CPM appealed to all citizens of the country to raise their voice against what he called was the "imperialistic and callous attitude" of Israel.