Obama speech sparked anger in Palestinian people
RAMALLAH (PALESTINE): On Thursday angry Palestinians protested against US President Barack Obama on the streets of Ramallah and Gaza after a UN speech by US President Barack Obama which was seen as unashamedly pro-Israel.
Obama’s address to the UN General Assembly, in which he reiterated his opposition to the Palestinian bid for UN membership, and empathised with Israel’s struggle in a hostile region without mentioning the occupation or Jewish settlements, has sparked almost unanimous condemnation across the Palestinian territories.
More than 1,000 Palestinians carrying signs denouncing Obama gathered outside the West Bank headquarters of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas before marching into the city centre shouting: “It’s shameful for America to support the occupation.”
Around 300 women held a protest outside the UN headquarters, shouting anti-Obama slogans as Hamas security forces watched them without intervening in Gaza city.
Also in Nablus, around 200 teachers protested in the city centre, holding banners reading: “America is a partner of the Israeli occupation and terrorism” and “Obama wants to buy votes with Palestinian blood.”
They all are protesting against Obama’s speech which was biased towards Israel. “We want to support the Palestinian leadership in the face of American pressure,” said the protestors.
The Palestinian workers union said it would call for rallies outside US embassies across the Arab world on Friday.
“America is the head of the snake,” bellowed demonstrators in Ramallah as they held up signs deriding Obama for his address, in which he warned the Palestinians there would be “no shortcuts” to peace.
“Shame on those who pretend to be democratic,” read one placard as the throng marched to the city centre, where on Wednesday more than 15,000 people had gathered for a festival of support for the UN membership campaign.
“Obama’s speech reflects the American bias towards the Israeli occupation and it proves that the continuing Arab and Palestinian bet on the Americans is wrong,” said Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Gaza’s Hamas rulers.
