World protest against Gaza invasion

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-07-2009 16:14

The pitch of world protests against the Gaza invasion by Israel is getting louder even as the conflict stretches well into its second week. now go to Latin America to see how Venezuela and Argentina are voicing their call for peace.

People protest during a demonstration against Israel's offensive on Gaza outside the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, January 6, 2009. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

Not only do upbeat music and smiling children in hospital not change the tone of Hugo Chaves' protest, they add a human perspective to the outspoken Venezuelan President's call for a stop to the Gaza conflict.

Hugo Chavez, Venezuelan President, said, "I call on the people of Israel to stand up against that government, to demand, to put a hand on their hearts and look at their children. And, I call on the world to stop this madness. I hope the Jewish community in Venezuela would denounce this barbarism. Do it! Don't the Jewish people reject the Holocaust what are we seeing there in Gaza?"

Meanwhile in Buenos Aires, the Palestinian community let their feet put voice to their protest. Marching silently through the center of the Argentine capital, they broke out into slogans outside the Israeli embassy.

Alejandro Salomon, Leader of Arab Communities Federation in Argentina, said, "They have the possibility of putting pressure of stopping the Israeli state which is murdering and violating the most basic human rights."

The protesters also demanded for an end to a free trade agreement between Argentina and Israel.

Government figures show that thousands of Argentinians are of Arab descent. The country also has the third-largest Jewish population outside Israel.

Local media report that a counter-march in support of Israel is expected later this week.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei