Vuvuzela at Sheikh Jarrah rally
Photo: Ohad Tzoigenberg
Sands sings peace song at rally
Photo: Ohad Tzoigenberg
Sheikh Jarrah protestors hope to draw attention with vuvuzelas
Leftists, Palestinians make noise in east Jerusalem using controversial instrument that has become symbol of 2010 World Cup; Irish singer Tommy sands dedicates song to 'Rachel Corrie' vessel
Some 300 people gathered in Sheikh Jarrah on Friday for the weekly protest against Jewish presence in the predominantly-Arab east Jerusalem neighborhood.
Demonstrators carried sign reading, "Thou shalt not steal or murder – free Sheikh Jarrah" and "Mayor Barkat – see entry for Apartheid".
This week's rally was particularly colorful, as protestors blew vuvuzelas – the controversial stadium horns that have become a symbol of the 2010 World Cup. Irish folk singer Tommy Sands, who also took part in the rally along with his daughter, sang peace songs.
"We must use every tool at our disposal to attract public opinion," Yesh Gvul activist Zohar Milkegrov told Ynet while holding a red vuvuzela. "Just as the vuvuzela drew attention to the World Cup, maybe it will also raise awareness for Sheikh Jarrah. Eventually we will succeed in breaking through the glass ceiling."
Sands, who dedicated one of his songs to the passengers of the "Rachel Corrie", the Irish ship that was recently intercepted by the Israeli Navy while making its way to Gaza with humanitarian aid, said Israel is creating enemies for itself.
He said the country's citizens are going through a process of "dehumanization," but added that the Israelis and Palestinians who take part in the Sheik Jarrah protests want to build peace and that there is hope.
