Dear friends,

Israel has attacked the Free Gaza Movement flotilla which was carrying 700 human rights activists, doctors, parliamentarians, journalists and 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Emergency protests are taking place or being organised all over the world to protest Israel’s murder of human rights activists and hijacking of the Freedom flotilla in international waters.

The details for the Australian protests so far are listed below, as is the Media Release issued by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in Melbourne.

Melbourne:

Tuesday June 1, 4.30pm, Cnr of Burke Street Mall and Swanston St, Melbourne City.

Organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (Melbourne)

Sydney:

Tuesday June 1, 5.30pm at the Town Hall

organised by Coalition for Justice and Peace in Palestine.

Perth

Tuesday June 1, 5pm, Wesley Church, cnr William & Hay Sts, Perth. Organised by Friends of Palestine, Western Australia

Brisbane

Tuesday, June 1, 5pm,Brisbane Square

Organised by Justice for Palestine (Qld)

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The following media release has been issued by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in Melbourne: **

Gaza Freedom Flotilla attacked by Israeli commandos in international waters; 16 reported killed

Palestine solidarity groups calls for emergency action:

MELBOURNE ACTION

- Tuesday, 1 June at 4.30pm Cnr of Bourke St Mall and Swanston St, Melbourne City.

A few hours ago hundreds of Israeli commandos illegally stormed the six vessels of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla that were endeavouring to deliver 10 000 tons of humanitarian aid to the besieged people of Gaza. The Israeli media is reporting that up to 16 people have been killed and up to 30 wounded after the commandos opened fire on unarmed civilians in international waters. Not since the French Secret Service blew up the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour in 1985 has there been such a brazen act of international piracy by a sovereign state. Governments all around the world have condemned the criminal actions of Somali pirates in international waters off the horn of Africa, and have even sent naval armadas to confront those pirates. The international community must now unreservedly condemn this criminal act of piracy on the high seas, and immediately sent an international naval armada to restrain the barbaric actions of the Israeli Navy.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign (Melbourne) has called an emergency protest for (Tuesday) 1st June at 4.30pm, corner of Bourke St Mall and Swanston St, Melbourne City.

Remembering 62 years of Al Nakba

May 15, will mark 62 years of the Palestinian Nakba (catastrophe). In 1948, more than 750,000 Palestinians were ethnically cleansed from their homeland by Zionist forces, with more than 500 Palestinian villages depopulated and destroyed. Today more than 7 million Palestinian refugees, the largest refugee community in the world, are living in exile. Israel continues to colonise and ethnically cleanse Palestinian land through occupation and war. On the 62nd anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba join the ongoing campaign to say no to Israel’s ongoing war crimes & ethnic cleansing of Palestine and demand justice for the Palestinian people.

End the Siege of Gaza!

End Israel’s occupation of Palestine!

Recognise the Palestinian Right of Return!

No Australian support for Israel – Sanctions Now!

Rally & March 6 pm

Friday, May 14, 2010

State Library of Victoria

cnr of Swanston & La Trobe Sts,

Melbourne City

Initiated by Palestine Solidarity Campaign

tel: 0439 454 375 or 0431 728 271

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at the New International Bookshop, Victoria Trades Hall, cnr of Lygon and Victoria St, Carlton.