Jordan Times
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Opposition parties
protest against Israeli occupation
By Rami Abdelrahman
AMMAN — The Opposition Parties Higher
Coordination Committee (OPHCC) organised a demonstration yesterday in the
capital's downtown area, urging Arab governments to “protect Jerusalem from the
illegal Israeli occupation.”
The demonstration marked the 38th anniversary of the Israeli occupation of the
West Bank, including the Holy City of Jerusalem.
As they marched from Al Husseini Mosque to the King Hussein Cultural Centre,
protesters called on the international community to “support Palestinians
against the illegal occupation of their lands,” and asked Arab governments “to
stop dealing with Israel and its allies,” namely the United States.
The demonstration grouped an array of parties from opposite ends of the
political spectrum, including communist and Islamist, united for the day in a
common cause.
Holding pictures of His Majesty King Abdullah as well as Jordanian, Palestinian
and several political parties' flags, the protesters chanted Arab nationalist
anthems, and asked for the help of God and Hamas, the Palestinian resistance
movement, to defeat Israel — often referring to it as the “Zionist” state.
OPHCC Spokesperson Ahmad Yousef warned Arab governments, with particular
reference to Jordan, that Israeli occupation would spread into their lands if
they do not take action.
He said Holy Muslim and Christian places of worship are endangered by Israeli
occupation, and “Arabs are blessed to be located on the frontline in defending
these holy places.”
He also called on the government to accelerate the political reform process and
promote freedom of speech, so citizens would feel free to express their views.
According to Yousef, 2,000 people participated in the march. The police,
however, disputed this figure, claiming that no more than 1,500 demonstrators
took part. One policeman said the march started with about 500 marchers and the
rest were curious passersby.
Abu Ahmad, a downtown shop owner, who has watched demonstrations passing the
front of his shop for the past 40 years, said the turnout of people
demonstrating has declined.
When asked by The Jordan Times to explain the reason why people now appear
apathetic towards participating in political demonstrations, Abu Ahmad said the
general feeling among people in the area is that marches such as these are
“staged” by the authorities.
“We don't view these marches as totally free, if they were, there would be tens
of thousands of people packing the streets,” he said.