arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

Press release 08 09 2002

Antwerp- After the hard fight to earn the right to demonstrate for Palestine in Antwerp where Zionist gangs have an enormous influence, and despite all the attacks and defamation campaigns in the press against the organizations involved in the platform for a just peace in Palestine, and especially against the Arab European League (AEL) and all the efforts that the city and its lackeys undertook to block this demonstration especially the gathering ban that was kept in place in the old city center, 1000 People took to the streets today and demonstrated their solidarity with the Palestinian people, resistance and rights.

The Demonstrators were emotional and militant but no incidents were reported. AEL mobilized 100 of its militants for the security service that was composed of 150 people who had an easy task since police provocation was non-existent this time. Unlike the 3rd of April, the police respected its agreements and had a very discreet attitude and that resulted of course in a peaceful demonstration. What AEL always told everybody was today a fact to be watched on the ground.

Ahmed Azzuz AEL Antwerp- head of division was satisfied with the manifestation

"we had a lot of emotional and excited young demonstrators but they behaved in an acceptable way and exercised their right to express their opinion" he said.

At the end of the demonstration Dyab Abou Jahjah AEL president addressed the crowd "we thank all the people who are present with us today to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people and rights, but we want to say also that you can not have solidarity with an occupied people without having solidarity with its resistance" he told a cheering crowd. " this is not the last time that we will demonstrate in Antwerp, we have the right to demonstrate as an Arab and Muslim community even when we wish to do that on our own" he added.

The Arab European league (AEL) will be planning a big Arab-European manifestation in Antwerp by the end of the year.