Some 3,000 members and supporters of the Peace Now movement braved the cold and rain here last night to hold a torchlight demonstration march around the Defense Ministry compound.
Protesting the continued service of former Defense Minister Ariel Sharon in the Cabinet, they marched symbolically from near the entrance to the Defense Ministry to the Tel Aviv Museum Square at the Ministry’s rear entrance “symbolizing Sharon’s exit from the Defense Ministry but his entrance to the Cabinet through the back door,” as one of the organizers said.
The parade was led by men and women wearing horns on their heads and banners reading, “Against Rhinocerosness” — a reference to the Eugene lonesco play, “Rhinoceros,” recently rerun on Israel television, about the herd instinct and the abject and unquestioning acceptance of a strong leader.
Very heavy police guards and ambulances escorted the march, which was held in perfect order and with no incidents. The Labor movement, which had joined Peace Now in organizing a demonstration last week which was cancelled due to bad weather, declined to participate in yesterday’s march.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.