Palestine Peace Vigil in Adelaide

The Australian Friends of Palestine Association, AFOPA, held a 
peace vigil last Saturday morning in the Adelaide Central Market. 
The vigil was attended by more than 30 members of the association 
dressed with Kafeyas and scarves in the colours of the 
Palestinian flag. The participants handed out more than 1000 
leaflets about the plight of the Palestinians and engaged with 
some Adelaidians who wanted to learn more about the situation in 
Palestine.

One leaflet in particular contained facts and figures about the 
Apartheid Wall being built by Israel in the occupied Palestinian 
land. The wall — which is 700 km long, 100 m wide and 8 m high -
- will eventually imprison 1.5 million Palestinians once it is 
completed. Security is the excuse that the Israeli Government 
uses to justify the construction of the biggest prison in the 
world. Being built at a cost of A$5 billion, this wall will never 
be a temporary measure to solve security problems but rather a 
permanent boundary imposed on the Palestinians with the backing 
of the US Government.

Only two months ago, President Bush declared that we have to take 
into account "realities on the ground". Sure enough, such a wall 
will become a reality on the ground and Palestinians will be 
asked to accept it, too. This shameful, blatant abuse of human 
rights — being carried out with the blessing of the US and 
Australian Governments — will only lead more Palestinians to 
frustration and despair which will lead, in turn, to more 
bloodshed and violence.

AFOPA was very encouraged with the response to the vigil and 
intends to run similar events in Adelaide in the near future.

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To contact the Australian Friends of Palestine Association, 
write to: Dr Bassam Dally, Secretary AFOPA,
PO Box 52, Greenacres, SA 5086