Jordan Times
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Public rallies denounce attacks
By Mahmoud Habboush
AMMAN — Jordanians have expressed outrage over Israel’s attacks against Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, calling for immediate international intervention to bring the Israeli offensive to an end.
Following Friday prayers, thousands marched through downtown Amman holding up Jordanian, Palestinian and Lebanese flags, and chanting slogans supporting their “Palestinian and Lebanese brothers.”
“We condemn the Israeli aggression in Lebanon and Palestine,” read one banner.
Yesterday, the Professional Associations staged a sit-in in Shmeisani, denouncing the US’ position on Israeli attacks against Arab countries.
Meanwhile, citizens voiced individual discontent over the current situation.
“What Israel is doing in Lebanon and Palestine is a crime, the world should act to stop this,” Ibrahim Amin, 25, told The Jordan Times.
“The misery in Lebanon and Palestine should stop,” echoed Mohammad Ahmad Ibrahim, 25. “Not a single human being accepts these atrocities,” he added, calling for Arab and Muslim leaders to stand by Lebanon and Palestine.
“If this Arab intervention doesn’t happen things will get worse and worse,” said Ibrahim.
The Israeli offensive in Lebanon started last week following an attack, in which Hizbollah members crossed the border and captured two Israeli soldiers, triggering the most sustained Israeli attack against Lebanon since 1982.
To many Jordanians, the soldiers’ capture is viewed as a powerful bargaining chip to release the almost ten thousand Arab prisoners in Israeli jails.
“What’s going on now is the right thing because it brought up the prisoners’ issue and the Israeli occupation of parts of several Arab territories,” said Othman Abdullah Barghouti, 64, a retired teacher. His nephew, Abdullah Barghouti, is currently serving 64 life sentences in Israel for involvement in fatal attacks against the country.
“We have thousands of prisoners and nobody ask about them?” he askes, speaking from his house near Marka Airport.
“What’s going on makes the international community act, instead of issuing useless condemnations,” said Barghouti.
Suleiman Hourani, 58, owner of a downtown bookstand, said the seizure of the two soldiers is justified because “Israel has been imprisoning Samir Kuntar for 27 years.”
Kuntar, who is often referred to as the longest serving Arab detainee in Israel, was imprisoned in 1979 for his role in an attack on one of Israel’s largest military bases.
Hizbollah is likely to ask for the release of thousands of prisoners in return for the two soldiers.
“The only way out of this crisis is negotiations to release prisoners,” said Hourani.