EGYPT: Hundreds protest in Cairo against Israel

Around 400 people, mainly Islamists, demonstrated in the centre of Cairo on Tuesday (July 18), chanting slogans in support of Lebanese and Palestinian guerrilla groups fighting Israel. They gathered on the front steps of the Journalists Union building, voicing their backing for Hizbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and calling for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from Cairo. Riot police with shields and truncheons outnumbered the protesters but did not intervene. The demonstration, led by the opposition Muslim Brotherhood, later dispersed peacefully. Their chants included: "Nasrallah, our friend, hit and destroy Tel Aviv" and "Khaybar, Khaybar, Jews, the army of Muhammad will return" -- a reference to an Arabian town from which the Jewish population was expelled in the 7th century. Many also chanted slogans denouncing the government of Egyptian president Husni Mubarak, and the emergency laws that human rights groups say stifle freedom. "Freedom, Freedom, where are you?, The Emergency law is between us and you!" they shouted. With the region reeling from high civilian casualties as a result of the lopsided battle between Israel, the regional superpower, and Lebanon and Gaza, the protesters raged against the weak stand many Arabs believe their governments have taken. The Labour Party has organised protests after Friday prayers at the Azhar for the past three weeks in support of the Palestinians but the events have not drawn more than a few hundred people at a time.

ITN Source | July 19, 2006

Tags:. .mainly. .human. .front. .demonstration. .demonstrated