TA: United Arab List rally turns ugly
Israeli public, at these sensitive times, finds it hard to accept anti-war rally by Arab citizens. A passer-by rages: 'These people get salaries, don't serve in army, don't even do national service in their own villages, and have audacity to complain about us.' MK el-Sana: 'US using Israelis and Lebanese to further their own ends'
Members of the United Arab List party demonstrated against IDF operations in the north, this Thursday afternoon on the Tel Aviv boardwalk, in front of the US embassy building. According to protestors, "the war in Lebanon is an American war. The Lebanese, Palestinians and Israelis are paying the price."
"Israel is nothing more than a US subcontractor, doing America's work in the Middle East," said MK Talab El-Sana, one of the rally organizers. "The United States is using Israelis and Lebanese to further its own ends. The US has nullified Israel's ability to make independent decisions. We don't need smart bombs, but rather smart US policy regarding the Middle East."
MK el-Sana speaking at rally (Photo: Ofer Amram)
El-Sana claims that "the current crisis cannot be solved by military means. Israel's extolled victory in the Six Days War will not be repeated. It's a fact that the most lauded victory in the history of Israel did not lead to peace, but rather to more and more wars. In 1982, Israel created the Hizbullah and today, in 2006, it is creating the next generation of fighters."
"Why does Israel need to give Hizbullah more excuses to start a conflict? The Israeli policy shouldn't be the disarmament of Hizbullah; rather it should be a policy of prevention and peace processes. We are protesting against the fake, pro-war consensus in the Israeli society," he continued.
The rally, that took place near the beach in Tel Aviv, soon incensed passers-by. Passing drivers swore at the demonstrators, some stopping on the side of the road in order to voice their dissent. Pedestrians who walked by the rally also expressed their disapprobation.
Benjamin Harpez, a Tel Aviv resident and special education teacher, arrived at the spot wearing a white shirt with a picture of Nasrallah printed on both sides and the lettering "Y'alla, f*** Nasrallah!" and "Enough. Sorry Israel."
Harpaz (right) argues with UAL demonstrators (Photo: Ofer Amram)
"These protestors are a fifth column," said Harpaz. "People are sitting in shelters and they're rallying here. They don't have the slightest bit of shame. Yesterday, I was in Nahariya, two days ago in Haifa and Sunday in Kiryat Shmona. I drove there in order to express my support to the residents of the north. These traitors need to go there in order to see for themselves what's going on."
"These people get salaries from the government, don't serve in the army, don't even do national service in their own villages, and have the audacity to complain about us. When an Arab child is accidentally killed, they protest, but when an Israeli child is the casualty of rocket fire, they hide and disappear," he claimed.
'We are also suffering'
The disagreement between the two sides quickly escalated to shouts and turned violent, when Harpez shoved a megaphone out of the hands of one of the protestors, after MK el-Sana refused to speak with him face to face. Police forces patrolling not far from the rally refrained from getting involved and the demonstrators themselves were forced to split up the fighting.
One of the protestors, Fahoum Assam, said: "Stop blaming us. We are also suffering. There are people bigger than me or you who could end this thing tomorrow. We want peace, we also oppose Nasrallah. We are all, Jews and Arabs, human beings and we are protesting the war, not Israel. The Americans have the strength to stop this now."
Reuben and Maggie Sanderman, Haifa residents, came across the rally on their way back from the beach. This is the tenth day that the couple has spent in Tel Aviv, far from the rockets plaguing their home. "We've planned to return five times already, but every time we pack and get ready to leave, there's another rocket, so we unpack the suitcases again," said Reuben.
"It doesn't matter to me whether three Arabs died or four Israelis died. We're all human beings. I'm willing to protest with you against this war if you're also willing to protest against those using innocent civilians as human shields. Up to now, we've coexisted in Haifa, with Arab neighbors, but I oppose hypocrisy – censuring only one side," he added.
Fahoum Assam, a member of the Democratic Party, claimed that the fighting in Lebanon is nothing more than the furthering of interests of involved parties: "We call for a cessation of fighting from both sides because we know that everything here is business at the expense of human life."
"You want to get Nasrallah, so you destroy Lebanon? There are contractors in the US, Israel and Lebanon that are collaborating in order to rebuild Beirut. Why destroy a twenty-story building with family residences inside?" he said.
