'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.