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Jagger and Livingstone back London rally
Rashid Razaq and Neil Millard2 Jan 2009
KEN Livingstone and Bianca Jagger are backing protesters who will march on Whitehall calling for an end to Israeli military action in Gaza.
Organisers believe up to 10,000 people could turn out for the march and rally in Trafalgar Square tomorrow following a week of protests outside the Israeli Embassy in Kensington.
Human rights campaigner Ms Jagger and the former mayor will join singer Annie Lennox at a press conference in London today to endorse the demonstration .
Ms Jagger said: "I urge Prime Minister Brown to use his influence to prevent the disproportionate and unlawful use of force by Israel against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip. Thousands of people throughout the world have been watching in horror the images of innocent civilians being killed by the Israeli bombardments - although I condemn the attacks of Hamas against Israeli innocent civilians.
"War crimes are being committed and the international community has a moral obligation to stop it."
Protesters will meet at Embankment at 12.30pm and head to No 10, where, they plan to leave thousands of pairs of shoes for Gordon Brown before marching to Trafalgar Square. Last month George Bush had a shoe thrown at him at a press conference in Iraq.
Reader views (20)
It would be so grand for Ken Livinstone to go to Gaza now as he feels so strongly, he could help his friends in Hamas. With a bit of luck we wont see him back.
- Raymond Turnner, Elstree, 05/01/2009 09:37
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If these 'celebreties' lived in a country that kept being bombed by terrorists they would be the first to clamour for action to be taken.
Why does not the rich arab countries such as Saudi ,UAE etc put there monies into Palestine to help sort out the housing ,sewers etc
- Simon Guest, london, 05/01/2009 06:57
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As the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmart states 'peace in the Middle East can only be achieved when Israel returns all teritory stolen in the 1967 Middle East War to the Palestinians and the Syrians'.
Palestinians should be allowed to form their own state.
Coralling the Palestinians like animals after stealing their land and cutting off all ties with the outside world does not and will not bring peace to the region.
The Iasraeli's should think of what happened in Germany when the lent money at usury rates of interest to poor Germans and harressed them and their families when the repayments were late.
It is agreed that Israeli should have their State and live in peace, But this will not be achieved with stolen land from their neighbours.
- Clive, London, 04/01/2009 22:28
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There seems a pendulum swing in the mid-east, as Anglo Saxon military influence is in retreat, weighed down by deficit upon deficit and a retreat of globalisation into a battleship mentality and trade-war defences. No western state will be able to finance the war of attrition that is coming. If the Arab countries finally unite then oil will go to $200 a barrel and Isreal....Well I hate to think. I dislike Ken Livingstone but maybe for once he has a point.
- Bondy, london, 02/01/2009 18:14
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Perhaps we may be lucky and the fairy godmother will put a spell on the assembly and all the grandees will turn into Cheshire Cats just like Galloway.
- Charlie George, ilford england, 02/01/2009 17:02
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Do these people - however well intentioned, really think that Gordon Brown can influence the situation.?
They should all get on a plane to Israel and do their protesting there - and save us the cost of having to police a demonstration which will achieve absolutely nothing.
- Alan, Essex, 02/01/2009 15:43
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I will be steering well clear of central London tomorrow. My feeling is that Hamas and those that elected them are now reaping what they sow. An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire that was never adhered to by Hamas... Why should the Israelis continue to allow the daily bombardment?
- R Barker, London, UK, 02/01/2009 15:32
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Great to see the worn out troupe of ageing Lefties clamber back on the old bandwagon. Old George Galloway is chipping in I hear. Ken and George, what a pair.
- Jack, London, UK, 02/01/2009 15:20
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Always good to learn who is pro Hamas.....and terror.
- Nils Westesson, Lund, Sweden, 02/01/2009 14:54
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The only "War Crimes" that are being committed are those by HAMAS. It is a war crime to launch missiles from civilian locations (in Gaza) and deliberately target civilian locations (in Israel) with the sole objective of killing as many (civilians) as possible. This is exactly what HAMAS are doing.
In contrast, Israel are hitting HAMAS military targets. The civilians of Gaza are the unfortunate 'collateral damage' caused by HAMAS locating their operation centres amongst schools and apartments.
Perhaps those who are calling for Israeli restraint and a ceasefire should direct their protestations at HAMAS and Iran who ultimately pull the strings. No Rockets from HAMAS = Peace with Israel. Simple really.
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 02/01/2009 14:39
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Killing people is wrong, full stop, however, I don't understand why there's not the same outcry when Palestine kills innocent Israelis, which it does frequently and this often goes unreported. At what point does it retaliate?
- We, Kent, UK, 02/01/2009 14:07
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What a motley crew. The brain addled lefty bed wetters rise once again.
- Roger, Surrey, 02/01/2009 14:07
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Did we all miss the rally to protest Hamas firing rockets into Israel?
- Rogan, Irving, 02/01/2009 13:59
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Celebrities should keep their mouths shut and their noses out of things they don't understand.
And as for Ken. He should really know better - as we should know not to listen to anything he says.
- E.E, London, England, 02/01/2009 13:22
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the world must put an end to these acts of violence -- now!
- Dana, prishtina, 02/01/2009 12:47
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This is why I am so pleased that Livingstone no longer speaks for London!
- Sg, London, 02/01/2009 12:06
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Just a couple of has-beens trying to jump start their celebrity status. Yawn.
- Haskey, London, 02/01/2009 11:56
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What's new? Predictable that publicity seeking rubbish such as Jagger & Livingstone should come out with the usual mischievous misinformed troublemaking nonsense that we have come to expect from a hophead & freeloading champagne socialist.
1. What would they have done if they lived in Derry and the I.R.A was rocketing their houses?
2. Israel has a right to defend it's country
3. A lot of Israel was purchased from the Palestinians by various Jewish gentleman such as the Rothschilds.
4. Where is the dreadful Blair who is meant to be the Great Peacekeeper?
- Mordwinoff, Lisle France, 02/01/2009 11:49
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I am bemused by this. What is the point in a few self intereste groups and scruffs disrupting Londoners over matters in a far flung country of little interest to the majority. I appreciate their view, but make the protest more relevant and meaningful. Go to Gaza or Tel aviv in the hope of persuading Israel to cease protecting their own citizens.
- Roy G, Solihull, England, 02/01/2009 11:30
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Leaving shoes on the pavement eh? Sounds like littering to me. May I suggest that at sixty quid a pop (120 per pair) The litter wardens are out in force in Westminster on the day and issue tickets galore! If they'd like some volunteers to help boost the number of wardens then I'd be happy to turn up.
I for one support Israel's right to not be rocketed daily from Gaza whilst the ceasefire was in effect. Further I respect Hamas' choice NOT to renew the ceasefire that was offered. Egypt and the Fatah backed Palestinain Authority both pleaded with Hamas to renew but they and their terrorists knew best. Well kinda looks like you were wrong Hamas.
Read wikipedia for the unbiased facts before jumping on trendy lefty causes Ken and Waynetta er sorry Bianca
- Ethan Edwards, UK, 02/01/2009 10:38
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