Leftist demonstration in Tel Aviv
Photo: Yaron Brenner
Leftists urge talks with Hamas
(VIDEO) Ramallah and Tel Aviv demonstrations mark '39 years of Israeli occupation in the territories'
VIDEO - Demonstrations against '39 years of the Israeli occupation in the territories' were held in Tel Aviv and Ramallah on Saturday evening. The 'annual occupation day' begins in two day's time on June 6.
Ramallah demonstration (Video: Reuters)
Demonstrators in both cities called for "an end to the siege on the Palestinian people" and for dialogue with the Hamas government. In Ramallah, a few hundred people demonstrated, while organizers say that Left-wing demonstrators arrived from across Israel to the demonstration.
Organizers in Tel Aviv claim that some 2,000 people took part in the other demonstration, but police say that no more than 500 people took part.
'Unite Palestinians'
In Ramallah, the demonstration also focused on the situation of the PA, and speakers emphasized the need to united Palestinian factions and prevent internal clashes. Demonstrators called on Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Heniyeh and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to act with historic responsibility to safeguard the unity of the Palestinian people. Demonstrators called on the international community to "remove the blockade on the Palestinian people and respect our democratic choice."
Tel Aviv march (Photo: Yaron Brenner)
Uri Avnery, who took part in the demonstration, called on the government to carry out negotiations with Hamas. "In two days, the occupation will be 39 years old, and this is a demonstration first of all against the occupation and for the beginning of negotiations with the Palestinian government – a dialogue with Hamas."
Speaking to Ynet, Avnery also addressed the ultimatum placed by the interior minister to Hamas senior member who residents of east Jerusalem. "This is an unprecedented scandal. This is a population that has lived in Jerusalem for 1,300 years, and they are being treated like immigrants that can be evicted, it is absurd. If they succeed in evicting Abu Tir, they can evict 250,000 people. This is a terrible danger and part of the general demographic madness that has turned into a spiritual disease of the state."
Protestors in Ramallah, Saturday morning (Photo: AFP)
Former Meretz MK Shulamit Aloni also bitterly attacked Israel's policies in the territories. "How much more degradation can the occupying State of Israel achieve? How much more degrading can the army that is called the Israel Defense Force be?" She said. Addressing a High Court decision restricting Palestinians who married Israeli-Arabs from entering the country, Aloni said: "The judge said these were people from an enemy country. Who is the enemy? Who rules there? Who steals the lands?"
Aloni also called for talks with Hamas.
Ali Waked contributed to this report
