MK Barakeh
Photo: Niv Calderon
Tel Aviv rally
Photo: Niv Calderon
Tel Aviv: Protest by 'Coalition against siege on Gaza'
Left wing activists demand ceasefire to include West Bank. MK Barakeh: Israel didn't really leave Gaza, warden is still surrounding the prison. Other residents less enthusiastic about protest; throw ice cubes at marchers
A few hundred protestors, members of the 'Coalition against the siege on Gaza' gathered Saturday evening in central Tel Aviv to rally against the IDF's operations in Gaza. The march proceeded towards Rabin Square under the banner of 'stop the siege on Gaza'.
Left-wing activists who organized the protest admit that the idea came up before the ceasefire was declared, however they say that they deem the issue still very relevant.
Protestors, the majority of whom belong to various social organizations, held signs opposing the 'siege' on Gaza, banged on drums and chanted slogans in Arabic, Hebrew and English. Passersby weren't in a rush to join the march though, and some even threw ice cubes at the protestors.
Throwing ice cubes at protestors (Photo: Niv Calderon)
The protesters apparently weren't satisfied with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's speech in Sde Boker last Monday, where he announced that Israel was willing to concede a great deal of land to the Palestinians in negotiations if terrorism was truly stopped.
MK Muhammad Barakeh (Hadash) told Ynet: "Ever since the settlements in Gaza were dismantled not a single day without siege has gone by. People say 'what do the Palestinians want from us? We left Gaza.' What do you mean 'we left Gaza'? So the warden has left the inside of the jail, but he still surrounds it from the outside."
"Olmert isn't truly striving for peace. His statements are reminiscent of his Realignment Plan. There is no room for a Palestinian partner. If he thinks he can make peace with himself, then maybe he will sleep well at night, but he will lead both peoples to disaster. Today we need a brave decision to change our direction, to go towards an Israeli-Palestinian peace that includes two countries for two peoples," said Barakeh.
