http://eballam.wordpress.com/2009/02/07/umass-amherst-march-for-gaza/
7-02-2009
Alex Cachinero-Gorman (far left) with marchers.
The conflict in Gaza has reached the UMass Amherst campus today in a march to end not only the violence, but the Israeli occupation.
Leading the group is Hampshire student Alex Cachinero-Gorman, of the Students for Jusitice in Palestine. He states that just because there is a cease-fire in Gaza does not mean that everything is alright.
“[The cease-fire] doesn’t mean the end of occupation,” Cachinero-Gorman explains. This rally is in hopes of raising awareness to the Palestinian situation as a whole. “We should rally every weekend.”
One marcher explains it all in a sign.
However, not everyone at the rally has the same idea in mind. UMass student Michael Feder, president of the Student Alliance for Israel, explains that there are two sides to the situation.
“There are two battles,” Feder starts, though changes his mind. “Battles is not a good word. There are two fronts.” Feder explains that Israel is not the only one who affects Gaza’s current state. It is also Hamas.
In some cases, Feder is on to something. Hamas has taken it in their hands to bring aid to the Palestinian people. This past Wednesday, it is said that Hamas “seized thousands of blankets and food parcels”. Yet again on Friday, the UN halts its Gaza aid due to thefts. However, would Hamas have gone to these lengths if aid had been able to get into Gaza in the first place? Who knows.
http://eballam.wordpress.com/2009/02/07/umass-amherst-march-for-gaza/
