Afghans condemn NATO troops during anti-Israel protests

Monday, January 05, 2009
CREDIT: Omar Sobhani/Reuters
KANDAHAR CITY, Afghanistan - Carrying banners reading "Death upon Israel" and shouting against "the enemies of Muslims," hundreds of Afghans converged on the Kandahar's city centre Monday to angrily denounce Israeli attacks on Gaza.

"We are requesting Muslim countries to stop this barbaric attack, and we further condemn all non-Muslim countries, especially United States, for supporting the attack," said one protester, Mulave Khuja Muhammad, a member of a religious council, or shura, in Kandahar.

About 500 Palestinians, including a growing number of civilians, have been killed in the ongoing offensive by Israelis in Gaza, now in its ninth day.

In Kandahar, about 800 protesters chanted slogans against Israel and its supporters as the Israeli flag was set on fire. They also shouted "glory to Allah and glory Islam and Muslims."

The crowd turned its anger against coalition forces in the province, demanding the immediate withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan, which includes about 2,700 Canadians.

"We do not want help from non-Muslims countries. They have proved in Afghanistan that they are unable to help Muslim countries," said Muhammadullah, another protester, according to an interpreter.

"We blame NATO for killing Afghan civilians as well," he said.

Protesters said international human-rights organizations have been too slow to get involved in the conflict, and condemn the growing civilian death toll.

"This is not fair that non-Muslims are attacking Muslims and killing their children and women," said Jamil Ahmad. "Where is human rights? Where is (the) world community? Why they are silent?"

Bismillah Afghanmal, a member of Kandahar's provincial council, spoke out at the protest against the bombing "whether it takes place in Afghanistan" or elsewhere.

"I am telling the world community especially to work on the Palestinian issue and end this kind of bombardment. I am totally against human loss, especially innocent people," he said.

The protest has stirred up increased fear among residents of Kandahar City. Many worry the anti-Western rhetoric could translate into an increase in the number of suicide bombings and insurgent attacks across the region.

Military officials at Task Force Kandahar had no immediate comment regarding the protest.