BUENOS AIRES – Thousands of people gathered Monday in the square opposite Argentina's congress in Buenos Aires in preparation for a protest march against Israel. The protest was scheduled to coincide with President Shimon Peres'
visit to the country.
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| Brazil protest againt Peres: Shimon Hitler / Amnon Meranda |
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Dozens of pro-Palestinian activists protest outside Sao Paolo building where Israeli President Shimon Peres taking part in event, carry signs showing charred children's bodies, liken Peres to Adolf Hitler |
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The demonstrators were made up of a number of groups, some of them blatantly pro-Muslim and others from various human rights organizations.
One of the protestors told Ynet, "It's a disgrace that the president of our country is meeting today with child-murderer Shimon Peres. He should be expelled from the city. There are thousands of people who came here today to protest against the hospitality shown to a representative of an occupying and oppressive government."
Signs also displayed pictures of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. One of the signs said: "Get out of Argentina, murderer Shimon Peres", and another said: "Death to Zionist-fascist Israel, officer of American imperialism in the Middle East, murderers of the Palestinian people!"
Pamphlet handed out during rally (Photo: Amnon Meranda)
Protestors also carried signs glorifying Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah,
and Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, as well as Lebanese flags. Journalists who were suspected of having Israeli backgrounds were ushered away and threatened with having their cameras broken.
The march is scheduled to terminate at the Israeli Embassy. The president is currently nowhere near the scene of the protest, but the Israeli delegation fears demonstrators will attempt to infiltrate an event at which he is slated to appear during the evening, hosted by the Indian community. Security around the president has been bolstered due to threats against him.
Earlier Peres was received warmly by Argentine counterpart Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. She agreed with Peres on the necessity of condemning Holocaust deniers such as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Regarding the peace process Kirchner said, "I have visited Ramallah. We recognize the Palestinians' right to a nation and it is also Israel's right to live along safe borders. Peace in the Middle East is necessary. We will do everything to promote peace in the Middle East and two states living side by side. We are committed to this."
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