Malawians in solidarity march in support of Palestine, asks Chakwera to call off plans to open embassy in Jerusalem

Business came to a standstill on Wednesday in Blantyre as Malawians of Asian origin took to the street to march in solidarity against Palestine invasion by Israel.

The peaceful march which started from Upper Stadium to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital round-about and back to Kamuzu Upper Stadium was led by Forum for Democracy and Rights Defenders (FDRD).

The marchers carried placards written #Free Palestine!!! Free Palestine!!! and some were heard singing “Free Palestine from the river to the sea”.

Speaking to the press after the protest ULAMA Council of Malawi Secretary General, Sheikh Abbas Vinjenje said Malawians are not happy with attack of Palestine.

He then appealed to President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to rescind his decision on opening an Embassy in Jerusalem.

“That decision must be stopped forthwith as it will mean siding with the oppressor therefore must be reversed. Apart from siding with the oppressor, the decision is a violation of the United Nations resolution on the disputed territory,” he said.

He then urged the international community to intervene by stopping Israel from killing innocent civilians and children in Gaza, a situation that will demonstrate a total adherence to the Geneva convention which Israel is a signatory.

At the moment Israel regards all of Jerusalem as its capital, although that is not recognised by most countries.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has led to most countries that have embassies in Israel to open them in its commercial capital of Tel Aviv.