Thousands of Afghans Demonstrate Against Israel, US

[Purveyor]

KABUL (AFP) — Thousands of Afghans demonstrated Friday against Israel's deadly strikes on the Gaza Strip, chanting slogans against the Jewish state and its US ally, and calling for the defence of Islam.

In the capital Kabul, up to 3,000 protesters gathered for several hours outside a key mosque where they shouted "Death to Israel", "Death to infidels" and Islamic chants such as "God is greater," an AFP reporter witnessed.

A shot was fired at an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and at a toy orangutan with sneakers hanging from its neck meant to represent US President George W. Bush, who had shoes thrown at him in Iraq last month.

The models were both torched as were flags of Israel, Britain and the United States.

The protesters also chanted slogans against the United States -- a key ally of Israel -- and said the more than 30,000 US troops in Afghanistan to help the government fight a Taliban-led insurgency should leave.

"We are here to demonstrate against Israelis who make Palestinians suffer," said 19-year-old Kabul student Mohammad Shafi. "We are here to defend Islam and the Koran."

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AFP: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5geAMqY-swsw4kBkaLf_U8RMsDO-Q

[thunder rising]

1. Hearts and minds ... so how's that neocon enlightenment going?

[High Plains]

2. Are the Obama Democrats going to be any different in either war?

Obama wants to escalate in Afghanistan.

I haven't seen any signs his Israel/Palestine policy will be any different than Bush's. Are there any?

[Purveyor]

3. Well we are about to find out. We've heard the campaign rhetoric now we must wait to see

the new 'official policies'.