 |
 |
Protesting, and Promoting, Terror in Berkeley |
| By: Israel Insider staff and partners |
| Published: March 19, 2005 |
| |
Police say 8000 people attended a march of support for the government's plan to retreat from Gaza and northern Samaria and to expel the 8000 people who live there.
There was one police officer for each 11 demonstrators.
The rally was organized by several left-wing groups. Labor Knesset member Yuli Tamir said she was satisfied with the turnout. "Usually less people come to the 'pro' rallies compared to the 'opposed' demonstrations,' she said. ?But the crowd at home is larger, they know he (Prime Minister Ariel Sharon) will continue with the disengagement so they see no reason to leave."
No ministers from the ruling majority Likud party, whose leader initiated the "disengagement" plan, were willing to show up.
Peace Now General Secretary Yariv Oppenheimer said the organizers approached a number of Likud party members but all refused. "(Transportation) Minister Meir Sheetrit did not reject the idea and expressed his willingness to participate, but later changed his mind," he said.
"People from the Right are a bit apprehensive about showing their support for the disengagement, but we believe this is not a classic leftist, but a demonstration that represents the majority's views," he said.
The event's organizers also invited several Shinui MKs to address the crowd, but they also did not respond. Yahad Chairman Yossi Beilin accused Shinui leader Yosef Lapid of preventing members of his party from participating in the demonstration.
Oppenheimer was undeterred by the paltry turnout and gave a fiery speech: "Whoever wants civil war must know we are ready for battle." |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
