Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published September 4, 2009 at 5:22 PM | Page modified September 4, 2009 at 5:37 PM

Comments (54)     E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

Corrected version

Seattle protesters call for peaceful end to Gaza Strip conflict

Israeli ground attacks in Gaza provided a sense of urgency to a Palestinian-organized demonstration at Seattle's Westlake Park on Saturday, where some 500 gathered to support a peaceful end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Seattle Times staff reporter

The morning news of Israel's ground attacks in Gaza gave a sense of urgency to a Palestinian-organized demonstration at Seattle's Westlake Park on Saturday, where some 500 gathered to support a peaceful end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Nearly a dozen community groups of various religious, ethnic and political backgrounds co-sponsored the protest.

The event drew, among others, Palestinians worried about family members in immediate danger in Gaza; Jewish protesters dismayed by the violence; and supporters of changes in U.S. policy, which they say would create a peaceful and secular state in Israel.

At one point, dozens of shoes were scattered around several tarps spread on the pavement as Muslims at the demonstration knelt in prayer. Many protesters held signs and some wore traditional black-and-white Palestinian scarves.

"Cease fire now," read some signs. And: "Stop the real terrorists/ US-Israeli war machine," and, "As a Jew, I cannot support attacks on civilians."

Demonstrators chanted, spoke and planned to march through downtown to try to bring awareness to an issue they say many Americans misunderstand or ignore.

For many at the event, the conflict thousands of miles away was intensely personal. A tearful Mona Marouf spoke from the podium of her fears that she could get a phone call at any moment about her parents and family in Gaza.

"It's a disaster, by all means," said her husband, Hussam Marouf. "They are waiting to be killed at any moment ... They don't know where to run or where to go."

Neil Fox, who is Jewish, attended the protest with his wife and two daughters, who are 8 and 10. He described his own upbringing as Zionist but said he hopes to pass a different legacy on to his own children.

He and his wife send their girls to Middle East Peace Camp for Children in Seattle's Magnuson Park to ensure they have personal connections to Palestinian and Muslim children, he said.

American Jews, he said, have a particular responsibility to speak out against the Israeli government's military actions.

"As a Jew, I want to tell Israel that they're not doing this in my name," he said.

advertising

Tens of thousands of people staged similar protests in European cities on Saturday, including some who hurled shoes at the tall iron gates outside the British prime minister's residence in London and waved Palestinian flags.

Shoe-throwing has become a popular gesture of protest and contempt since an Iraqi journalist tossed a pair of shoes at President Bush in Baghdad last month.

Protests in Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and Berlin all drew thousands of people.

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com.

Additional information from The Associated Press.

Information in this article, originally published January 4, 2009, was corrected September 4, 2009. A previous version of this story contained a quote that was incorrectly attributed to an attendee at the rally. The quote has been removed.

Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

EXERPT FROM THE P-I "Israel began its aerial assault on Dec. 27, saying it wanted to halt rocket attacks after a six-month cease-fire with...  Posted on January 4, 2009 at 2:50 AM by coolguy1. Jump to comment
A Palestinian-organized demonstration is all you need to know. It is a true miracle that only God can perform that Israel still exists since the...  Posted on January 4, 2009 at 4:15 AM by sickoflies. Jump to comment
These 'Seattle protesters' are nothing more than stooges veering from one political event to the next. If you want to show commitment, go...  Posted on January 4, 2009 at 7:32 AM by Island_Boy. Jump to comment


Get home delivery today!

More Local News

Seattle Times Fund For The Needy offers opportunity to give

Tugboat sinks on Seattle's waterfront

Child-support error costs nearly $21,000

Danny Westneat: Bonus for supe with a B minus?

Nicole Brodeur: You have more to spare than you think you do

Advertising

Video

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.

Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Interview with New Moon actors
Full interview with New Moon actors
Artistic Roller Skating
Girls Soccer: Mercer Island vs. Glacier Peak
Smash Putt! Miniature Golf
Opening day at Crystal Mountain

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising