GAZA/JERUSALEM: THOUSANDS OF PALESTINIANS HOLD RALLIES VOICING THEIR SUPPORT FOR IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN

Record ID: 648658

  • Title: GAZA/JERUSALEM: THOUSANDS OF PALESTINIANS HOLD RALLIES VOICING THEIR SUPPORT FOR IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN
  • Date: 21st March 2003
  • Summary: (W5) GAZA (MARCH 21, 2003) (REUTERS) TV OF A PRO-IRAQ DEMONSTRATION, WITH THOUSANDS RALLYING DEMONSTRATORS HOLDING HAMAS FLAGS AND IRAQI FLAGS, SHOUTING SLOGANS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES MCU WOMEN CHANTING PRO-SADDAM SLOGANS WAVING A PORTRAIT OF THE IRAQI LEADER SV CHILDREN HOLDING PORTRAITS OF SADDAM HUSSEIN LV OF PEOPLE MARCHING IN STREETS SV CHILD HOLDING POSTER OF SADDAM HUSSEIN IN DEMONSTRATION CU OF MAN HOLDING POSTER OF SADDAM HUSSEIN PAN OF DEMONSTRATION (2 SHOTS) (W5) JERUSALEM (MARCH 21, 2003) (REUTERS) GV AL AQSA MOSQUE IN THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM LV MUSLIM WORSHIPPERS IN MOSQUE COMPOUND SLV MUSLIMS WALKING SV OF ISRAELI SECURITY FORCES STANDING AT ONE OF OLD CITY GATE WHICH LEADS TO AL AQSA SV ISRAELI SECUIRTY FORCES WALKING ALONG STREET SV (SOUNDS OF STUN GRENADES) RED CRESCENT WORKERS IN STREET LV ISRAELI SECURITY FORCES RUNNING AFTER LAUNCHING TEAR GAS GRENADES
  • Embargoed: 5th April 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GAZA/JERUSALEM
  • City:
  • Country: Gaza Jerusalem
  • Topics: International Relations,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4E1NQNU81D3GXH1XOZDZGRW40
  • Story Text: The militant Islamic group Hamas has urged Iraqis to carry out suicide bombings against invading U.S. and British forces in Iraq as thousands of Palestinians held rallies voicing their support for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
    About 4000 demonstrators marched in the streets of Gaza city on Friday (March 21, 2003) to protest against the US-led war in Iraq, carrying the Iraqi flag and posters of the Israeli President Saddam Hussein.
    Marching through the streets of Gaza, demonstrators chanted 'America is the mother of terrorism' and 'with our soul and blood we shall redeem you Saddam".
    Members of the militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements participated in the demonstration, carrying their flags, alongside the Palestinian flag.
    Senior Hamas leader Abdel Aziz-al-Rantissi, also marching in the rally, called upon the Iraqis to carry out suicide bombings.
    "I call Iraqi people and Muslims to use martyrdom bombers against invaders. I am calling Americans and martyrdom Muslims to use the weapon of martyrdom bombers to stop the aggression, oppression of America against Islam and Muslims"
    said Rantissi.
    Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has given payments of 25,000 U.S. dollars to the families of suicide bombers who have carried out attacks against Israel since a Palestinian uprising for statehood began in September 2000 after peace negotiations became deadlocked.
    Pro Iraq rallies were also held throughout the West Bank and in Arab-East Jerusalem.
    In Jerusalem, the atmosphere around Jerusalem's holy shrine, known to Muslims as "Haram Al Sherif" and Jews as "Temple Mount" was tense as Muslim worshippers stepped out of Friday prayers and joined a pro Iraq rally. Israeli police fired tear gas at demonstrators and minor scuffles erupted. No injuries were reported.
    nb/clv
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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