'Arabs don't want to kill Jews'
Waving Palestinian flags, the Muslim community in Malta raised its voice yesterday evening to call on the international community to take immediate action following Israel's raid on a flotilla of six ships heading to Gaza.
Led by Mohamed El Sadi, the Muslim leader in Malta, around 200 men, women and children took part in a peaceful demonstration down Republic Street in Valletta.
"Israel's siege on the ship was immoral, illegal and unjust - the whole world should do its best and exert pressure to remove this siege from Gaza," Imam El Sadi said.
The protest was organised after nine people died in Monday's action by Israeli commandoes against a flotilla of six ships heading to Gaza with 10,000 tonnes of aid. The aid convoy was seeking to penetrate the blockade, which has been imposed almost continuously since the militant group Hamas took control of the Gaza strip in June 2007.
The operation turned violent when the commandoes clashed with those on board the vessels and nine people were killed.
Before the demonstration started, police officers asked one of the protesters to put away a placard showing a swastika. Imam El Sadi also asked him not to use it and he did so quietly.
Parallel to Republic Street, where the Muslim crowd were holding their peaceful demonstration, a fist fight broke out between six Maltese men because trucks were blocking the cross-road between Melita and Zachary streets.
The crowd walked from City Gate chanting "God is Great (Allah hu Akbar)", "Free, Free Palestine", "Palestine's Soul and Blood is Arab".
Speaking in front of Parliament, Imam El Sadi said Arabs had nothing against the Jews. "We protected them when they were expelled but they established themselves in our state and expelled us from our lands." Arabs did not want to kill Jews but wanted justice and peace, he said.
Mario Farrugia Borg, a member of the Muslim community, called on European governments to take effective action against Israel and send a message to stop its aggressive practices against Palestinians.
"The massacre against a civilian convoy carrying supplies for Gaza shows how the Israeli army is using its might to kill the Palestinian people by depriving them of basic human needs," he said.
Terry Gosden, from the General Workers' Union, also took part as the general secretary Tony Zarb was unable to be present because of work commitments.
Once the demonstration was over, 10 organisations held a solidarity vigil in front of the courts and reiterated the call for Malta and the EU to pressure the Israeli government to end the blockade.
In a statement, they called on the government to join the international community, refrain from visiting Israel and suspend any meetings.
The statement was signed by Alternattiva Demokratika youths, Arabic Culture Information Society, Euro-Med, Kopin (International Cooperation Malta), Moviment Azzjoni Xellug, Moviment Graffitti, Peace Lab, Stand4Palestine - Malta, Third World Group and Żminijietna.
The raid provoked a widespread negative reaction from the international community and sparked fresh calls for the blockade to end, including a statement by UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon.
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Carmel Attard
Jun 6th 2010, 10:35
re Charles Sammut ... Who are you to determine whom we give the Hospitality to??? This Imam, whom we have to have the pleasure to have here with us Christians ..(I am not sure if you are a Christian ..not from your hospitality way of life) this Imam has not committed any crimes in our land like Mossad did a few years back when they shot and murdered a Palestinian in Gzira!! These Mossad terrorists were perhaps enjoying your Hospitality too!!!!
Joe Xuereb
Jun 5th 2010, 23:29
I understand that peace activists on the flotillas carrying aid were armed. Maybe all is not what it seems?
London UK has similar demonstrations but the general population is 'unaffected'. Malta is tiny so the impact of these demos is inescapable.
Demonstrations like this do nothing to allay people's fears and anger. Give Palestine to the Palestinians and we'll see they manage. Same goes for Iraq. If nothing else this will stem the refugee flow from these two countries.
The imam some while back said, here on the ToM, that people have a right to roam freely, and that even Jesus did so (many Maltese loved that nod to Jesus I bet). The Imam is doing exactly what he is accusing the Jews of doing. Why, he 'loved' them, and helped them in their hour of need. Yes, I bet!!
Arabs don't want to kill Jews! But enough of them, hidden away in their cells, everywhere, are very keen to kill whoever takes their fancy (NY, London, Madrid). I hope Malta is spared, that security is up to scratch.
Those kids should not be exposed to this. Any more than Maltese kids should be exposed to bloody representations.
Martin Cassar
Jun 5th 2010, 22:24
@ Joseph Calleja
'Arabs don't want to kill Jews' ...Since when?
Answer:
The no hostile Arabs, Muslim and Jew relation is the longest yet least discussed after 1948. (Why?) the occupation and the Zionists dream of a Jew-WISH state is the answer.
Thus actually it was since very long actually, until Hitler (who was not a Arab or a Palestinian neither a Muslim if this matters.
@ John Azzopardi
The killing of 2-3 years old babies is very conman practice by the The Zionists.....do not be so surprised please!
John Azzopardi
Jun 5th 2010, 18:15
Shame on the organizers for using children in this manner. Shame for people in Malta for not speaking up for they are being used. These type of protest have no place for children as their minds are being poisoned. I am surprised that child physologist in Malta are not speaking up about the impact of children being used for this purpose.
Nidal Shawish
Jun 11th 2010, 08:55
Why surprised? haven't you seen children being used in Labour and Nationalist mass meetings?
Joseph Calleja
Jun 5th 2010, 16:32
'Arabs don't want to kill Jews' ...Since when?
Nidal Shawish
Jun 11th 2010, 08:43
Why surprised? haven't you seen children being used in Labour and Nationalist mass meetings?
LEO ATTARD
Jun 5th 2010, 14:59
with all due respect to arabs and jews alike --- i am not saying what the jews do is right or wrong, but the statement Arabs don't want to kill Jews doesn't quite sink in. Our world today is threatened with actos of terrorism, and it is a fact that Muslims/ midEasterns are to blame and their acts kill indiscriminately. Some Maltese were also victims in the Twin Tower attack --- the Maltese have never done anything but open up its shores to Muslims and to refugees who often get jobs that could have gone to locals instead......It's a cruel world of gray, but sometimes we can see the white and black before they mix!
martin chetcuti
Jun 5th 2010, 14:05
Authorities should be careful for allowing these "Peaceful demonstrations" the Maltese Goverment had already made its point about last week case therefore we don't need these Arab organised demonstrations, We shall not give the impression that we are anti Israel a country that we can benefit from.
Nidal Shawish
Jun 11th 2010, 08:52
It is not a question of whom we benefit most from! It is a question of justice, peace, and standing rightfully with people who have being under occupation for more than 60 years!
peter fitzgerald
Jun 5th 2010, 13:04
'Arabs don't want to kill Jews'
Try sell that to Hamas and Hizbollah
Andreas Reiff
Jun 5th 2010, 12:17
'Arabs don't want to kill Jews'. Hello??? The 60+ years conflict is not between Arabs and Jews, not between the inhabitants of Arabia ('Arabs') and a religion. Either it's Muslims against Jews, or ... (neighbouring countries of Israel) against Israel. However, the term 'Arabs' nowadays is so much more innocent, and Jews are, well you know, Jews!
Israel is doing a lot of wrong, and the attack on the aid convoy was most amateurish. But it must be obvious to everybody that this convoy's aim was not to deliver goods to Gaza, but to heat up the situation. Goods can be, and are, delivered on a daily basis on land to Gaza. Which is of no real help, because Hamas takes over the aid and delivers it to their supporters only. An armed group gets all, while the 'sheep' remain get nothing in order to provide a picture of suffering. It is in the utmost interest of Hamas to keep the majority poor and thus remain in power. Any aid helps the Palestinians as much as it has helped the poor countries in Africa. Zilch!
V. Borg
Jun 5th 2010, 10:38
What are those 2 toddlers doing there? Their eye contact, the way they are communicating with each, seems to imply that they would rather be somewhere else - playing!
Charles Sammut
Jun 5th 2010, 10:15
"Speaking in front of Parliament, Imam El Sadi said Arabs had nothing against the Jews. "We protected them when they were expelled but they established themselves in our state and expelled us from our lands." Arabs did not want to kill Jews but wanted justice and peace, he said."
This is exactly what is happening with illegal immigrants in Malta. Two weights and two measures, Mr. Imam? Aren't you yourself abusing our hospitality?
Louis Gialanze
Jun 5th 2010, 14:03
The same thing happened in Kosovo except that in this instance NATO bungled the whole affair. Malta can expect no better from our new colonial masters in Brussels.