Demonstration in Tel-Aviv under the title "The Occupation is Killing Us All"

By: Bryan Atinsky of Indymedia Israel

10/02/02

Tel-Aviv: Approximately 10,000 people attended a demonstration in

Tel-Aviv on the evening of Feburary 9, under the banner "The

Occupation Is Killing Us All" The main issues discussed were an

immediate end to the occupation of Palestinian land and solidarity with

the growing number of young Israelis who are refusing to serve in the

military occupation force.

Among the speakers in attendance were Tel-Aviv University sociologist

Yehudah Shenhav, Jamal Zahalka of the Israeli-Palestinian party

al-Balad, Israeli author Ronit Matalon, long-time activist Uri Avneri of

Gush Shalom, Yishai Menuchin of the Israeli conscientious objector

organization Yesh Gvul "There is a Limit/Border"), recent military

"refusnik" Yishai Rosen-Tzvi, Israeli-Palestinian psychologist and

activist Dr. Nabila Espanyoli, spokespeople of Ta'ayush Arab-Jewish

Partnership, and others.

Exemplary of the speeches during the demonstration, Prof. Yehuda

Shenhav stated emphatically that "The government tries to tell us that the

soldiers who refuse to serve in the occupation are a danger to the

democracy of Israel, but I say, no, the opposite is true: it is serving the

occupation that endangers democracy" Along these lines, Uri Avneri of

Gush Shalom stated optimistically "The 'Refusniks' are the beginning of

the end for the occupation."

In addition to the speakers, Israeli singer and songwriter Achinoam Nini

(Noa) sang a Hebrew/English rendition of John Lennon's peace-anthem

"Imagine."