The
father of an Israeli soldier killed in the Lebanon war declared a hunger
strike to protest the government. Elipaz Baloa set up camp opposite the
Israeli government center in Jerusalem on Sunday and vowed to fast until Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert steps down.
Baloa’s son Nadav was killed during last
year’s fighting against Hezbollah. Olmert and Defense
Minister Amir Peretz have seen their popularity plummet amid widespread Israeli
perceptions that they mishandled the war. Baloa called on other bereaved
Israelis to join his protest.
