Rally for Peace
Millions gathered around the world this week for demonstrations of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Mass demonstrations were organized by a broad coalition of progressive movements, faith groups, labour unions and activist groups to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1967 war, in which Israel invaded Palestine. During this invasion hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced to flee into neighbouring countries where most still reside in refugee camps.
Although dwarfed in size by the massive rallies that were held in Washington, D.C. and London, England, there was a day of action in London, Ontario as well. A large group of Londoners gathered in Victoria Park on Saturday, June 9 to demand an end to the ongoing illegal occupation of Palestinian land. Muslim, Christian and Jewish protesters set up a mock Israeli checkpoint, held banners, waived flags, chanted, danced, and listened to speakers and a musical performance. The local chapter of Food not Bombs was also on-site giving away free vegan food.
Bernie Koenig, a popular philosophy and music professor at Fanshawe College, spoke at the rally and emphasized that criticizing Israel is in no way a form of anti-Semitism.
As a self-described “good Jewish boy who is not a Zionist,” Koenig explained that it was when he started studying to teach ethics and philosophy that he realized that what Israel has done, and continues to do, to the Palestinian people is highly unethical. Koenig also said he objected to the way that politics in Israel is so intertwined with religion instead of being separated like in most western nations. To finish his speech, Koenig called on everyone to coexist peacefully and even invited the lone counter-protester waving an Israeli flag across the street to join the rally for peace, while declaring that he agreed with the solution that the majority of demonstrators there were calling for.
Although dwarfed in size by the massive rallies that were held in Washington, D.C. and London, England, there was a day of action in London, Ontario as well. A large group of Londoners gathered in Victoria Park on Saturday, June 9 to demand an end to the ongoing illegal occupation of Palestinian land. Muslim, Christian and Jewish protesters set up a mock Israeli checkpoint, held banners, waived flags, chanted, danced, and listened to speakers and a musical performance. The local chapter of Food not Bombs was also on-site giving away free vegan food.
Bernie Koenig, a popular philosophy and music professor at Fanshawe College, spoke at the rally and emphasized that criticizing Israel is in no way a form of anti-Semitism.
As a self-described “good Jewish boy who is not a Zionist,” Koenig explained that it was when he started studying to teach ethics and philosophy that he realized that what Israel has done, and continues to do, to the Palestinian people is highly unethical. Koenig also said he objected to the way that politics in Israel is so intertwined with religion instead of being separated like in most western nations. To finish his speech, Koenig called on everyone to coexist peacefully and even invited the lone counter-protester waving an Israeli flag across the street to join the rally for peace, while declaring that he agreed with the solution that the majority of demonstrators there were calling for.
