JERUSALEM (JTA) — Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv against what organizers called “50 years of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories.”
The anti-settlement group Peace Now organized Saturday’s rally in Rabin Square under the banner of “Two States – One Hope,” which included left-wing Israeli political parties such as the Zionist Union and Meretz, as well as several other left-wing organizations like the New Israel Fund.
Liberal artists including Balkan Beat Box and singer Achinoam Nini performed at the rally.
Crowd estimates ranged from 15,000 to 20,000, with organizers putting the crowd total at 30,000.
A letter from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the organizers was read on stage.
“There is no stronger voice than the voice of just and comprehensive peace, just like there is no stronger voice than that of people seeking self determination and freedom from occupation,” Abbas wrote. “It is time to live, you and us, in peace, harmony, security and stability. The only way to end the conflict and fight terrorism around the world is through a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, Palestine alongside Israel.”
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog, head of the Zionist Union, called for the establishment of a strong political bloc to defeat the right wing, which has been in power for years.
“We must put our egos aside and join together to one political bloc,” Herzog said. “A political bloc which includes parties, public figures and movements that work for change. A political bloc that is not interested in a binational state, in half a democracy. A bloc that wants a Zionist, Jewish, democratic with equality to minorities and openness to a variety of views. This bloc needs to include many from Livni to Kahlon to Lapid and others. Only together we will win.”
Peace Now Director General Avi Buskila also slammed the current government.
“For years we have been letting the irresponsible right-wing government take us down an abyss, hinder our democracy, our morality,” he said. “Today we are putting an end to this. We are fighting for our future in a Jewish and democratic state.”
The rally came days after the country celebrated 50 years since the reunification of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War.
