Protesters gathered in Manchester on Saturday to demonstrate against the recent violent attacks in Gaza which has left four more Palestinians dead, including a 15-year old.

Manchester Palestine Action, alongside various other Palestine support groups, called the non-violent demonstration as part of the worldwide “Great March of Return” protests which call for the end of the Israeli occupation in Palestine.

HSBC, Barclays and Marks & Spencer were just a few of the businesses the protesters stood against as they were accused of being “complicit in the occupation of Palestine”.

The protests will continue every Friday until 15th May, the date of the Palestinian Nakba in 1948, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were removed and expelled from their homes.

Adie Mormech, who taught at a University in Gaza and was a human rights worker there for two years, said on Saturday:

“We have a lot more to give. We have a lot more to do. We can cross more lines if it means stopping the arms investors from billions of pounds worth of profit.

“You can’t even leave for school without Israeli army checkpoints where they shoot and kill pregnant women, children or anybody seeking medical attention. This is life in Palestine.”

Since the end of March, 39 Palestinians have been killed and over 4,000 have been wounded by forces occupying the Israel-Gaza border.

Mohammed Ayoub, the 15-year old boy named as one of those killed on Friday, was shot by Israeli Forces with an ‘expanding bullet’ whilst participating in the non-violent protests.

In addition, Ahmad Rashad al-Athamna, 24, Ahmad Nabil Aqel, 25, who was disabled, and Sa’ad Abdul-Majid Abu Taha, 29 were killed on Friday, which led to widespread condemnation.

Anyone wishing to donate to help the children of Gaza, can do so here via the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund: http://www.pcrf.net/ 

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