Solidarity march for Gaza in Delhi Aug 9

Around 70 political and civil society organisations have come together in the national capital to express solidarity with Gaza and protest against the Israeli attacks on it.

These groups will stage their protest through exhibitions, songs, poetry and readings Aug 9 which is observed as "International Day of Solidarity with Gaza".

"We all have decided to come together to show our support against the violence committed against thousands of Palestinians. Through this protest we want to send a strong message to Israel," Annie Raja, an eminent woman rights activist, said at a press conference here.

Another activist, Navaid Hamid, questioned the government's reluctance in taking a stand on Israel. "This is a war in which so many children have been killed. Twenty-three percent of the dead are children. So Indian government should have taken a stronger stand," he said.

The Indian government had first rejected the request for a parliamentary resolution condemning Israel's military attacks on Gaza, saying New Delhi had to find other ways to show support for the Palestinian cause while growing its relations with Israel.

However, July 24 India took a strong stand against Israel by voting in support of a UN resolution to launch a probe into the Israeli offensive on Gaza.