(Times of India, 15 October 2000)
NEW YORK: About five thousand Palestinian sysmpathisers staged demonstrations here denouncing the United States' "pro-Israeli" policies and demanded an end to the current violence in the middle east.
This was third straight day of demonstrations, pro Palestinians having staged a protest on wednesday followed by a pro Israeli protest on thursday.
Carrying Palestinian flags and anti-Israeli placards, the protesters staged a noisy demonstration friday in front the Israeli consulate and later marched to the nearby United Nations building where one of the largest pro-Palestinian rally and prayer service were organised.Marching along with them were about a dozen anti-orthodox Jews to express their support for the Palestinian cause.
The participants, who included a large number of women, criticised first lady Hillary Clinton as also her Republican rival Rick Lazio for the senate race from here and other leaders who had attended the pro-Israeli rally thursday.
They said they want the American government to be just and even handed. While every one in U.S. is upset over the Israeli soldiers death.Consideration should be give to about one hundred Palestinians who have been killed due to "Israeli violence," the protesters demanded.
But unlike thursday's pro Israeli demonstration which attracted about eight thousand proestors and hordes of political leaders seeking support from Jews who constitute twelve per cent of voters here, the pro-Palestinian rally did not attract any major political figure.
No untoward incident was reported during the two-hour demonstration.