A SOCIALLY-DISTANCED rally was held in the town centre last weekend to show support for Palestinians suffering from Israeli bombardment.
A total of 15 people from Barnsley Trades Union Council (BTUC) and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) attended the rally, which was linked to a number of rallies across the country.
It marked the 73rd year since the Nakba of 1948 when 700,000 Palestinians were driven from their homes during the creation of Israel.
Attendees heard speeches about the destruction of Gaza from Israeli air and tank attacks - the death toll on Saturday was 130 Palestinians, including 32 children.
That figure has since risen and more than 200 homes and 24 schools in Gaza have been destroyed.
BTUC secretary, George Arthur, said the rally ended with chants of ‘Free, Free Palestine’.
“Our rally was calling for an end to the Israeli occupation and expansion into Palestinian territory,” he added.
“We are clear that many Jews around the world are also opposed to the actions of the Israeli government.
“We want to see a solution that allows Jews and non-Jews in the Middle East able to live in peace and harmony and equality.”
Barnsley PSC chair, Pete Deakin, said: “I was pleased that a number of Palestinians and people from the Middle East came and joined our rally.
“It is important that we show there is pressure to end the attacks on Gaza.”
A candle-lit vigil is also being planned for a date in the next couple of weeks.
