A large number of activists have taken part in a peaceful rally in East al-Quds (Jerusalem) to urge an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and to show support for the recognition of a Palestinian state.
The number of the participants in the Friday demonstration was estimated to be around 2500 people, with observers saying that the city has not seen a demo of this size against the occupation over the past two decades, a Press TV correspondent reported.
“I came here to join the protest for the liberation of Palestine, to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine. They are fighting against occupation, against the brutal apartheid regime,” said Matan Kohen, an Israeli activist.
“I am here to send a clear message to the international community as well as to the Palestinian and Israeli people [that] we will not stand silent as the occupation continues and we will continue resisting popularly,” Kohen added.
The demonstrators first gathered outside one of the western gates of the old city of al-Quds and then began their march towards the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.
During their march, the demonstrators chanted “Only free people can negotiate” and “Together we march to liberate Palestine.”
Among the demonstrators were Palestinians, members of the International Solidarity Movement as well as Israeli left wing activists.
The Israeli police maintained a heavy presence all along the path of the Friday demonstration.
“What I want to say is that I came here because I want to prove that in Jerusalem there is Palestinian identity and Palestinian people who want to demonstrate for Palestine,” a Palestinian activist said.
A small group of Jewish counter-protesters tried to disrupt the demonstration by chanting pro-Israeli slogans and raising flags but failed.
Israel occupied the West Bank, including East al-Quds, the Golan Heights in Syria, Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, and the Gaza Strip during the Six-Day War of 1967.
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