Coventry protest over Gaza onslaught

Dave Nellist addresses a No more ghettos: not Warsaw, not Gaza vigil

FOLLOWING THE weekly protests in Coventry called by the Socialist Party against the Israeli state onslaught on Palestinians in Gaza, a dignified vigil and a 300-strong protest rally were held to coincide with Holocaust Memorial Day last Sunday.

Socialist Party councillor Dave Nellist read out a statement that recognised the murderous hell that Jews had been put through in Europe by the Nazis but also condemned the bombardment of Palestinians in the Gaza strip by the Israeli state.

A delegation of eight, including Jews For Justice in Palestine, local Mosques and Minal Timraz - a restaurant owner in St Michael's ward (which Socialist Party councillors Dave Nellist and Rob Windsor represent) who has lost 15 members of her family in the bombing of Gaza - proceeded to the Holocaust memorial event with a banner entitled: "No more ghettos, not Warsaw - not Gaza".

No more ghettos: not Warsaw, not Gaza, photo by Coventry Socialist Party

Back at the rally, recognition of the role of the Socialist Party in opposing the attacks on Gaza, its call for mass struggle by working people against capitalism and for a socialist solution to the crisis in the Middle East, was enthusiastically applauded several times.

Later, Dave criticised the BBC's refusal to screen the Disasters Emergencies Committee appeal for funds for humanitarian relief in Gaza. "If it was up to me, the government of Israel ought to be made to pay reparations to the thousands of Palestinians whose lives have been ruined. But whether or not that is eventually achieved the immediate need is for shelter, sustenance and medical supplies, and the rebuilding of schools and homes.

"The BBC should reverse its disgraceful decision and not play politics with people's lives."