Journalists, civil society protest against Israel

* LPC declares Israeli attack an 'act of terrorism', demands immediate release of Talat Hussain

* Journalists pass resolution accusing Israel of violating international law

By Hussain Kashif

LAHORE: Journalists, non-governmental organisations and civil society ON Monday strongly condemned the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla (a boat carrying activists bound for Gaza) and the detainment of TV anchor Talat Hussain, who was onboard to cover the voyage.

Throughout the day, various organisations and civil society members launched rallies and protest demonstrations against Israel in front of the Lahore Press Club, while journalists belonging to the Lahore Press Club and the electronic media held a protest in front of the US Consulate. Activists of the Labour Party Pakistan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Punjab, Judicial Activism Penal, Insaaf Students Federation, Islami Jamiat Taliba, Pakistanis for Palestine and other several organisations showed their solidarity with the detained people.

The LPC members, declaring the Israeli attack on the ship an act of terrorism, demanded the US administration and the UN to take serious notice of the act and make immediate efforts for the release of the detained. LPC President Sarmad Bashir and Secretary Ziaullah Niazi, while addressing the protesters, said the White House should ask its "favourite nation" and its ally Israel about these acts.

Violation: Journalists also passed a resolution in which they accused Israel of violating international law and demanded an urgent explanation on the matter. They demanded the Pakistani government take immediate measures to secure the release of the TV anchor and his team members. The resolution also condemned the Israeli attack and appealed to the international community to press the Israeli government to avoid conducting such attacks in future.

Giving a 24-hour deadline for the release of Talat Hussain, the journalist community have also declared to launch another protest demonstration in front of the US Consulate today at 5pm, if the Israeli government did not release him.

Also, the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) and South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) strongly condemned the attack on the convoy of ships delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. Both organisations expressed deep concern over the safety of Pakistani nationals onboard one of the six ships. SAFMA and SAMC also urged the Foreign Ministry to assure the safety of the people onboard, and inquire about Pakistani journalists' situation.