31 July 2006: for immediate release
Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, today issued a statement calling for `the largest possible turn-out’ on a national demonstration in London on Saturday 5 August demanding an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.
Mr Livingstone said:
‘The horror of the events in Cana confirms that there must be a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza. The announcement by the government of Israel of a 48-hour bombing pause, without ending other military operations, is totally inadequate.
‘The present crisis shows the dead end of the attempt by the government of Israel to impose a unilateral solution on the Middle East, implemented by the ‘separation wall’, rather than the implementation of all UN resolutions and entering into meaningful negotiations with the elected Palestinian authorities and the governments of the surrounding countries.
‘Both the Israeli soldiers held by the Palestinians and Hizbollah and the Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners held by Israel must be released and, in line with UN resolutions, Israel must withdraw to its 1967 borders.
‘I urge the largest possible turn out on Saturday’s demonstration in London called to demand an immediate ceasefire.’
National Demonstration Saturday 5 August
‘Cease fire now’
Assemble 12 noon, Speakers’ Corner
March to Parliament Square
Organised by: CND, Stop the War Coalition, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, British Muslim Initiative
end
Notes to Editor:
1. For further information and interviews please contact Kate Hudson, CND Chair, on 07739 184 335 or Rick Wayman, CND’s Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859
2. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere.