New Yorkers protest Gaza blockade

This protest is to mark the 2nd anniversary of Operation Cast Lead, Israel's most-recent all-out war on Gaza which left at least 1400 Palestinians, mainly women and children. 

Protesters want to bring to attention the illegal Israeli blockade on Gaza that began long before Hamas took office after winning the Palestinian elections. 

The war has taken a heavy physical, emotional and mental toll on the people of Gaza. As a result , many still need professional help to come to terms with the war. 

Palestinian men have been hit especially hard. Many of them have spent the last two years struggling to find work under the blockade and the horrors of the war have made things harder and more traumatic. 

Malsin is an American and is Ma'an News Agency's former chief editor until Israel barred him from entering the occupied territories. He has just returned from Gaza.