Manchester Evening News
Riot police on King Street as pro-Palestine and pro-Israeli demonstrators clash outside Kedem in Manchester
The bombing of Gaza has prompted angry verbal clashes on Manchester’smost exclusive shopping street outside a shop which allegedly sells cosmetics from settlements in Israel.
Riot police watched as pro-Palestine and pro-Israeli protesters demonstrated outside Kedem on King Street in Manchester city centre.
Each side used speakers or loud-hailers to denounce their opponents as shoppers looked on.
Pro-Palestine demonstrators have been protesting at the site since Saturday, saying it is part of a wider campaign to boycott produce from Israel.
Police have confirmed so far one person has been arrested for an alleged public order offence. One member of staff has alleged they were shoved while protesters are also accused of preventing customers from getting into the shop and abusing other workers. Police have visited management and taken a statement.
It is understood the shop sells produce from Ceasarea in Israel.
Pia Feigh, a member of Jews For Justice for Palestinians, told the MEN: “I’m part of a movement that’s trying to show the British people and hopefully all communities that they need to get rid of the Israeli state. They need to put pressure on their Government, their companies and companies like Kedem.”
She said the company provided ‘economic support’ for Israel which she accused of ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Gaza.
A spokesman for the pro-Israeli protesters, who wanted to be named only as Adam, said the demonstration is targeting a specific business rather than the wider issue.
At least 649 Palestinians have died since Israel started bombing Gaza two weeks ago with the aim of preventing rocket attacks into Israel. Some 31 Israelis have died.
Simon Salisbury, from Whitefield, who was wrapped in an Israeli flag, said: "I am a British born Jew. I was born and live in Manchester.
"I'm supporting Israel and I have cone here to demonstrate against these protesters who are basically biased against Israel."
He said he was also here to support beauty shop Kedem, which sells Dead Sea products from Israel and was targeted by protesters on King Streer.
He added: "it is a British registered company selling products from Israel.they have been protesting here for days and I'm fed up, it's not fair."
John Nicholson of Longsight and from Palestine Solidarity said: "we are here for the sixth day running to try and close down Kedem, a shop selling Israeli goods. We are here to say stop the bombing of Gaza. We are here to say if the Israelis want peace they should stop the bombs. They are bombing Palestine, women and children. And the US government and our government are doing nothing about it."
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “A policing operation is in place to facilitate lawful and peaceful protest while also attempting minimise disruption to the business community. There have been no reports of any serious disorder and to date the protests have passed peacefully.”
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