_a.jpg "Photo: Yaron Brener")
Protest against PM
Photo: Yaron Brener
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
Photo: Hagai Aharon
Protesters interrupt PM's speech
Reservists, bereaved parents burst into Kadima ceremony honoring New Year, break off Olmert's speech
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has had to face harsh criticism since the war in Lebanon ended, but the stormy reception he was met with Wednesday evening was unprecedented in its intensity and aggressiveness.
The prime minister was arriving at the Israel Trade Fairs and Convention Center in north Tel Aviv to attend a ceremony of the Kadima party in honor of the new Jewish year. Protesters, including reservists who served in Lebanon and bereaved parents, waited for the PM outside and greeted him with loud shouting.
Later on, when Olmert went on stage and began delivering his speech, the protesters burst into the hall and attempted to interrupt the PM by yelling, "You can't buy us… it won't work, we'll kick you out, you're going home."
In face of the commotion caused by the protesters, who confronted security guards in their attempt to push through and enter the hall, the PM responded by saying: "Thank you, gentlemen. It's okay to protest, it's okay to disturb. We know how to accept this in a democratic system. Thank God the great majority of the people sitting here think different. I salute you."
Olmert's somewhat cynical remarks only contributed to the demonstrators' outrage, who kept on shouting: "We want responsibility, Olmert go home."
The PM replied by calling on the protesters to stop attacking the general staff, the chief of staff and the high command. "Stop running political battles against the Israeli government on the backs of the IDF's soldiers and commanders," he surged them.
