Thousands gathered near the United States embassy in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, to protest against the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza.

anti israel protest us embassy 090109 13 Eye-witnesses said about 5,000 protesters started their march from the Tabung Haji building - located less than a kilometre away from the embassy - right after the Friday prayers.

The march organised by the Coalition of Concerned NGOs also saw the participation of opposition party PAS and PSM.

Among the leaders that attended the rally were PAS Kuala Krai MP Dr Hattta Ramli, Youth chief and Kubang Kerian MP Salahuddin Ayub, PAS vice-presidents Mohammad Sabu and Husam Musa, PSM president and Kota Damansara assemblyperson Dr Nasir Hashim and the party’s secretary-general S Arutchelvan.

Along the way, the marchers shouted anti-USA and anti-Israel slogans like 'Down with USA' and 'Destroy Israel'.

anti israel protest us embassy 090109 10 They also carried Palestinian flags, anti-US and Israel banners. Most of the male protesters were seen wearing the traditional Palestinian scarves ' kaffeiyah ' in a symbolic show of solidarity with the victims of the conflict.

One female protester was seen carrying a baby doll wrapped in white cloth with smudges of red paint. Nearly a 100 children and infants have since perished in the conflict.

Unlike past demonstrations at the embassy, police presence this afternoon was at a minimal with only members of the Light Strike Force deployed.

anti israel protest us embassy 090109 09 The police however stopped the protesters from gathering directly outside the embassy but allowed a 15-member delegation led by Husam to submit a memorandum to the embassy officials.

While the delegation met with embassy officials, protesters were seen burning, spitting and stomping on the Israeli flag.

Addressing the protesters after submitting the memorandum, Husam called the US ‘hypocritical’ and said the ‘global police’ would have reacted immediately if the victims were US citizens.

“I told them just now, if the victim was President George W Bush's daughter, the whole nation would act immediately. But since this is just ordinary Palestinian women and children, nobody cares,” he added.

The PAS leader also took a swipe at newly elected US president Barrack Obama for his ‘silence’ in this matter.

Flag burning in Kampung Baru

anti israel attack protest kampung baru 090109 02 Meanwhile, about 200 people gathered at the Kampung Baru mosque to protest against the Israeli invasion, and burnt American and Israeli flags to show their anger.

This group was largely made up by Umno Youth members from the Titiwangsa division.

They had started their gathering after the Friday prayers and were led by an exco member from the division, Mohamed Muizz Shadik Mohamed.

They eventually stopped opposite the mosque, inviting others to join in their protest.

"We condemn the Israeli atrocities. We must create awareness of their attacks," said Mohamed Muizz.

anti israel attack protest kampung baru 090109 06 He said that anti-Israel car stickers would be distributed to the public to generate more awareness. This sticker campaign was then launched by Palestine ambassador Abdel Aziz Abu Ghoush, who was present briefly at the gathering.

Mohamed Muizz also urged the people the boycott American products.

The Umno man then moved the crowd to the main road - Jalan Raja Abdullah - where he and several others burnt two Israeli and one American flags, causing a traffic disruption for almost 10 minutes.

The group then moved back to the mosque and dispersed from there.

No police personnel were on hand throughout the protest.

Later at a press conference, Titiwangsa Umno division deputy youth head Nazir Hussin Akhtar Husin said his division would propose to the government to impose a nationwide week-long business shutdown on KFC, Starbucks and McDonalds - all American companies.

Boycott launched at National Mosque

anti israel attack protest masjid negara 090109 13 And at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad addressed some 500 people in condemning the Israeli invasion into Gaza.

He repeated his calls for a boycott of American products and their currency.

"People should boycott McDonalds and Starbucks for a month," he said.

He also urged people to leave their jobs from American firms.

The Malaysian Muslim Consumer Association also launched their boycott US campaign at the gathering.

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