A far-left European website has posted an invitation to a “global march on Jerusalem.” According to the announcement on the website of the Anti-Imperalist Camp:
Jerusalem has been a centre of the three monotheistic world religions for more than 1,000 years. This plurality has been threatened since the creation of the state of Israel and more so with the occupation of east Jerusalem and its annexation, in violation of international law. Jerusalem’s Palestinian inhabitants are subjected to a continuous process of expulsion from the city. 85% of its territory has been robbed by foreign settlers, while the Israeli state systematically destroys the livelihood of Palestinians. Every day, the Apartheid state of Israel demolishes Palestinian homes. Armed Israeli gangs, supported by the state, terrorise the old city’s inhabitants demanding, “Arabs out, Jerusalem is Jewish!” Jewish religious fanatics even attack Jewish women if they don’t abide by the rules emanating from their extremist interpretation of religion. All this is happening while the people of the Arab world are clamouring for democracy and self-determination. After decades of submission to a world order dominated by NATO and Israel, the Arab masses have begun to rid themselves of their dependent and dictatorial regimes. People have taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers; demanding democracy and an end to the squander of their countries’ resources. For decades, these corrupt dictatorships have collaborated with Israel to safeguard Western interests in the region. The clearest testimony of this is the comprehensive blockade that has been imposed on the Gaza Strip; destroying the future of 1.5 million Palestinians. The sole reaction of the last settler colony in the world to the growing protest is increased brutality. The Apartheid state of Israel is hastening to create more facts on the ground, particularly in Jerusalem, before the balance of forces in the region turns completely against them. Once again, Israel’s claim to be the only democracy in the Middle East is exposed to be a racist fallacy – as only Jewish citizens are entitled to it. Today, the Arab spring continues to fuel the Palestinian national movement. This initiative for the Global March to Jerusalem (GMJ) is a vital expression of this fact. Various forces from across the entire region, as well as all political, cultural and religious divisions, have come together – extending even to Europe. It is, therefore, high time for each and every one of us to struggle similarly for democracy, equal rights and self-determination for occupied Palestine. This is an especial duty for the European opposition forces because Zionism is not only a product of European colonialism and racism; it still enjoys the support of our ruling elite. The Global March to Jerusalem adopted the city of the three monotheistic world religions as a symbol of emancipation. Despite the on-going expulsion of Palestinians and the Judaisation of the city, it remains the common cultural heritage of humanity, which can never be erased. We join this pluralistic initiative transcending cultural and religious borders on a simple political platform; carrying further ahead past initiatives. Our intention is to build a bridge for peace between the Arab region, Europe and other parts of the world. We will meet before Land Day on March 30, 2012, in Cairo, Amman, Beirut and Damascus to start our common march to Jerusalem. In all these capitals, we would be joined by local preparatory committees. Concomitantly, there will be mobilisations throughout historic Palestine: in the West Bank, in the Gaza Strip, in Israel (by Muslims, Christians and Jews) and first and foremost, in Jerusalem also….We say no to Zionism; and to an exclusive Jewish colonial state, which reacts to the legitimate struggle of the indigenous Palestinian people with the expansion of its Apartheid rule.
Six of the twelve individuals listed as sponsoring/endorsing the initiative are either leaders in or closely tied to the Global Muslim Brotherhood:
- Zaher Birawi, leading Palestine activist, Britain (director of the Palestine Return Center in the U.K)
- Gretta Duisenberg, Chair Foundation “Stop the Occupation”, Board member Free Gaza Movement, Netherlands (widow of former European Bank president; works closely with Muslim Brotherhood leaders in the Netherlands)
- Dr. Hafiz al Karmi, Chairman Palestinian Forum in Britain (The PFB works closely with Muslim Brotherhood groups in the U.K.)
- Mohammad Kozber, British Muslim Initiative (The BMI is part of the U.K Muslim Brotherhood)
- Mikalis Lukianos, Ship to Gaza, Greece (The Gaza Flotilla movement is closely tied to the Global Muslim Brotherhood)
- Ismael Patel, Chairman Friends of Al Aqsa, Britain (FOA and Patel work closely with the U.K. Muslim Brotherhood)