By Mohammad Baali
Albawaba.com - Cairo
The Egyptian riot police cracked down on hundreds supporters of the Palestinians rallying in the streets of Cairo on Monday.
The demonstration, organized by the Popular Committee for Supporting the Palestinians, was originally planned to reach the US embassy from the Tahrir Square downtown, but its way was blocked by the police and participants fled to Cairo’s back streets and changed their route to the Bar Association’s headquarters where speeches would be delivered.
The protestors shouted anti-Israeli slogans and burned the US and Israeli flags during the protest. They also shouted slogans criticizing their government after the police interfered.
Mohsena Tawfiq, an Egyptian actress serving on a committee in support of the Palestinians, told AFP that she was protesting "because of the pressure and aggression of the Zionists, the United States and the European Union.
"This state (of Israel) is supported by all means, including arms," she said. "The West is passive and we (Arabs) are traitors."
A large number of the Muslim Brotherhood members took part in the rally, including their MPs, but Albawaba.com’s correspondent saw them leave the scene minutes before the clampdown.
Since the Palestinian uprising against 34 years of Israeli occupation erupted on September 28 last year, Egyptian university students have staged several anti-Israeli protests on their campuses in Cairo, Alexandria and elsewhere.
Banners held by protestors read: "Hey Americans! Your government sends weapons to Israel to kill our children," and "US films present 'The Untouchable Murderer,' starring Sharon, director Bush," referring to the Israeli and US leaders, said the agency.
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
