In Tel Aviv; 5000 Arab and Jewish peace activists protest Against the War
Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies - Sunday, 23 July 2006, 01:28
Saturday evening, at least 5000 Israeli and Arab residents of Israel marched from the Rabin Square to the Cinematheque plaza Tel Aviv against the war on Lebanon and Palestine and the Israeli “war crimes” in the two areas.
The protesters carried posters against the war and the Israeli illegal attacks against the Palestinian and Lebanese people.
The protesters were attacked by dozens of fundamental Jews who hurled stones and various objects at them in addition to fist fighting with the protesters in several cases.
Several extremist Jews chanted racist slogans against the Arabs and Palestinians calling for the death of Arabs and Palestinians, “a good Arab is a dead Arab”, the extremists chanted.
Meanwhile, the protesters chanted slogans against the Israeli defense minister, Amir Peretz, and held him responsible for the death of children and civilians in Palestine and Lebanon, and demanded the Israeli government to resign.
They also waved Palestinian, Israeli and red flags and pictures of children killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon and Palestine.
The protest was organized by the Coalition Against War, the National Democratic Assembly, the Democratic Front, the Communist Party, the Israeli peace Bloc (Gush Shalom), the Refusenik movement, the Alternative Information Center and several other organizations.
Secretaries and spokespersons of several organizations and parties called for joint actions against the Israeli aggression and continuous military attacks against the Lebanese and Palestinian residents.
Yesterday I posted a small snapshot of those who have labored for Peace in the Middle East in the comment section of OPOL's Fine Diary on Pacifism. Checking the diary, this morning, I found that it had gotten a number of recommends so feel that comment should be expanded, so the many who don't Really know about the Many Groups and Individuals that have struggled to get their message out About A Peaceful Middle East, on All Sides, can start learning the Reality and Start Supporting these groups and individuals.
This is what I posted at OPOL's Diary and a few other places:
A Cease Fire - Now!
Tomorrow, Saturday, at 6.30 pm, we shall take part in a protest march against the war, starting from Rabin Square, Tel-Aviv.
The number of protesters grown from demonstration to demonstration.
JOIN!
"STOP THE WAR NOW!"
On Sunday (16.7.06),
the fifth day of the war, the largest demonstration yet against it took place in Tel-Aviv. More than 600 people came to protest against the war, which is still very popular amongst most Israelis.
Among the demonstrators were veterans, whose hair has turned white since they first demonstrated against wars, side by side with youngsters, who have started to be active not long ago. Many of the soldiers who have refused to serve in the occupied territories were also there. Together with Gush Shalom, members of all the consistent peace organizations took part, including Yesh Gvul, Anarchists Against Walls, Ta'ayush, Women's Coalition for Peace, Courage to Refuse, Hadash, Balad, The Committee Against House Demolitions and The Center for Alternative Information. They shouted in unison: "Return to the Negotiation Table!", "All the Ministers are War Criminals!", "We shall Neither Kill Nor Die for the Settlements!" and more.
The demonstrators marched through the streets of Tel-Aviv until they were stopped by the riot police. Some of the demonstrators broke out and continued their protest in the neighboring streets, but there was no violence from either side.
"That's exactly how it happened after Ariel Sharon's invasion of Lebanon," an old-timer reminisced, "On the first day of the war we were a hundred, after a week we were a thousand, after three weeks we were 10 thousands and after two months, following the Sabra and Shatila massacre, we were 400 thousand."
Here's a few more snippets from Gush Shalom:
Uri Avnery
The Real Aim
15-7-2006
THE REAL aim is to change the regime in Lebanon and to install a puppet government.
That was the aim of Ariel Sharon's invasion of Lebanon in 1982. It failed. But Sharon and his pupils in the military and political leadership have never really given up on it.
As in 1982, the present operation, too, was planned and is being carried out in full coordination with the US.
As then, there is no doubt that it is coordinated with a part of the Lebanese elite.
Click here for the full article >
And this:
"STOP THE WAR NOW!"
13-7-06
Only a few hours after the start of the attack on Lebanon, 200 peace activists gathered in front of the Ministry of Defense to protest against it.
"One - Two - Three - Four / We do not want this war!" shouted the demonstrators, members of several organizations, youngsters side by side with veterans. Other slogans (roughly translated from Hebrew) were:
"Artillery and Qassams / The occupation is bad for everybody!"
"Peretz - you promised education and pensions / And all we got is tanks and dead bodies!"
"Peretz, Peretz, for the sake of the North / Get out of Lebanon!"
"Jews and Arabs / Refuse to be enemies!"
"Exchange prisoners-of-war / Bring the soldiers home!"
"Peretz, Peretz, Minister of Defense / You have killed seven children today!"
The reaction of passers-by was much less hostile then anticipated. Some drivers shouted curses at the activists, but quite a number honked in agreement. Most drivers seemed to be fatalistic.
The police brought a much larger force than usual, including a special unit for riot control. It seems that they feared a blocking of the traffic by the demonstrators.
The veterans among the demonstrators were reminded of the first demonstration not far from there which took place on the first day of Ariel Sharon's invasion of Lebanon in 1982. That time, also about 200 activists gathered - but their number grew within a few weeks to ten thousand, until the 400 thousand gathered to protest the Sabra and Shatila massacre.
Click here to view photos from the demo>
I also posted this in a reply to my original, at OPOL's Diary of a new group formed by Israelli and Palestinian Ex-Combantants in a search for a common ground to Stop the Long Running Devestation and Death of their people and common land.
I have a post up on HERE with a Report from VFP Member Ellen Barfield on her Invited Visit to meet with this group that some may want to read. Along with her report there's also this video
You can also view HERE
of their meeting together and frank discussion of what they have gone through leading to the change of heart and understanding along with tolerance and want for Peace!
You can click graphic to visit their site.
Contrary to what the talking heads and power brokers would like everyone to think the Peace Movement, here and around the World, is Not Dead nor In Disarray! It has been Alive and Extremely Active for Many Years and using this new technology to grow even further, as well as making it much easier to form New Coalitions and Actions. If you have Demonstrations of a few or Tens of Thousands or Millions, if they are Peaceful, as they should be and have been, the Powers that be see No Ratings In Reporting Extensively On Them. But those who participate know Full Well what they Bring and what they Take Away From these Heartfelt Gatherings and what they bring back to their communities!
Strong Coalitions, of Peace Groups, have formed here in the States, in the many Countries of this World within, and Between each other WorldWide, and as History Shows are relegated to Extremly Little Coverage in attempts to keep those voices silent.
Notice the coverage of a tiny band of a Radical Church Group gets, protesting at Funerals of Military Personal killed in Iraq and Afganistan and others now, just saw a report on CNN as I'm typing this. These are what the Powers want Reported, for it brings a Negative view, as it should about this group and others like it, on All who Paticipate in their Right Of Free Speach and Holding a Government/Governments Accountable by Peaceful, Common Sense, Heartfelt Wants of a Peaceful World, and puts fear of reprisals into many who would want to follow their hearts and souls and become Active, the tactic has always worked!
With what is currently happening, in the Middle East there is a Number Of Israelli and Palestinian Peace Groups listed at Gush Shalom. I will link a few here, you can find more at site and further links at each site visited, as you can visiting any site but especially if seeking others who Want Peace as You Do!
But first I give you an Action to take Towards A Ceasefire:
"The US must become involved immediately in seeking a peaceful resolution to the current conflict. To help accomplish this, I have introduced legislation, H.Con.Res.450, calling upon the President to appeal to all sides in the current crisis in the Middle East for an immediate cessation of violence and to commit US diplomats to multi-party negotiations. Click Here To Take Action {one of many groups hosting the sign on}.
Better World Links for Peace, Human Rights, Environment, Social Justice, etc.
There are Many Many Many Many.... More at the links provided and elsewhere. Find the Sites, Help the People, Join in the Coalitions for a Peaceful World, and STOP THE CARNAGE that the Few Start and Keep Continuing Going for their Sick and Greedy World Views!!
For in the End 'We Are ALL The Same Human Beings, Only In Differant Area's Of This Planet'! And by Growing the Ranks can we Get The Rest To Listen and We Become The Power Of Peace and Tolerance
Freedom IS Free: It Comes From Within
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