Anti-Israel protests break out in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 2 (IANS) Hundreds of protesters shouting pro-Palestine and anti-Israel slogans marched through the civil lines area of Srinagar Friday.

'Down with Zionist terrorism, down with Israel, down with America,' the protesters shouted as they waved Islamic flags and mourned the deaths of Palestinians killed in the recent bombing of Gaza Strip by Israel.

The protesters were joined by many others as they marched through the different roads in the state's summer capital.

'Where are the champions of civil rights and liberties? Why are they silent when innocent, unarmed Muslims are killed in hundreds by Israel?' shouted an angry protester in the march.

Funeral prayers in absentia are being offered for the slain Palestinians in various mosques of the city after the Friday prayers.

The Muslim majority Kashmir valley has traditionally had close emotional links with the people of Palestine and any major development in Arab-Israel ties has always drawn a response in the valley.