Members of Hastings and Rye Palestine Solidarity Campaign (HRPSC) are expecting the largest ever demonstration for the Palestinian cause to be held tomorrow in the town centre, near the former Debenhams store.

After the recent unrest in the middle east which has seen 232 Palestinians killed, including 63 children, the local group say its planned demonstration – ‘Rise Up for Palestine’– is attracting huge support.

HRPSC Chair Katy Colley said: “We held an event last Saturday and were amazed that over 120 people came to show their support. 

“I think a tipping point has come. Thanks to comprehensive reports from respected human rights organisations we are aware that Israel is practicing apartheid against Palestinians and as with South African apartheid, we know that without pressure from the international community this is not going to change.”

The internationally-brokered ceasefire, which took effect in the early hours of Friday morning, has been welcomed on all sides but according to HRPSC the violence has: “…laid bare the terrible inequalities in the region.” 

Katy says: “There have been massive solidarity protests across the world and in an extraordinary show of unity Palestinians across all of Israel and West bank held a general strike on Tuesday, the first of its kind in decades.

• Rise Up for Palestine start at 12 noon outside Debenhams. The Facebook event link can be found here: https://fb.me/e/1rQtzDLPf
• To contact the HRPSC email info@hastingspalestine.org