Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., January 12, 2009 Tevet 16, 5769 | | Israel Time: 03:30 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 22:54 10/01/2009
Israelis protest Gaza offensive: Our Zionism does not make us crave blood and war
By Ofri Ilani
Tags: Israel News, Gaza, IDF, Hamas

Some one thousand Israeli activists from Peace Now and the left-wing Meretz party protested Saturday against the offensive in Gaza, opposite the Defense Ministry compound in Tel Aviv.



"We have assembled to call on Israel to think twice before expanding the [Gaza] operation, we are here because we care about the IDF soldiers," said Peace Now chief Yariv Oppenheimer.
Advertisement
Israel indicated Saturday that it would begin a third phase of its two-week operation aimed at halting rocket fire on its southern communities, dropping leaflets in Gaza warning civilians that it plans to step up its military campaign.

"This is a demonstration that includes many true Zionists who fear for peace in the country, but our Zionism does not make us crave blood and war," Oppenheimer said.

Meretz chairman Haim Oron also attended the demonstration, and called on the Israeli government to "Stop the war and reach an agreement as soon as possible." This is "the only way to stem the bloodshed," he said.

Oron and Meretz initially supported the Israel Defensive Forces operation when it first began. But, he explained Saturday, "We said that the action's objective was to reach a cease-fire as early and as quickly as possible in order to achieve calm." He said that the time had come for even those who back the operation to call for a truce.

The protesters were joined by activists from the Hadash movement and members of the radical left in Israel. There was a minor skirmish at the sidelines of the protest when Oppenheimer, who is also a member of the Labor Party, tried to pull down a banner reading: "Not pleasant, a murderer," a reference to the election campaign headed by Labor Party leader Ehud Barak.

Related articles:
  • IDF: Hamas fighters beginning to desert; army steps up Gaza offensive
  • Meshal: No truce until IDF ends Gaza op, opens crossings
  • Gaza rocket strikes Ashkelon, injuring 14 Israelis
  • Protesters turn violent, clash with police at anti-Israel rallies
  • Hamas claims it hit IAF base 27km from Tel Aviv
  • EU said readying plan to restore Fatah-led PA rule over Gaza crossings
  • Israel rejects UN truce resolution, says Gaza operation to continue
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    IDF warns Gazans
    The IDF is making every effort to prevent civilian deaths by warning of impending attacks.
    Pro-Israel rallies
    Thousands attend pro-Israel rallies across Europe, N.Y.
      1.   1000 morons in my tribe 01:04  |  Jon 11/01/09
      2.   No Arabs ever protest their wars or terror 03:32  |  Curious 11/01/09
      3.   Peace Now 04:26  |  Ale 11/01/09
      4.   Peace activists are are nearly an extinct species 05:19  |  judith 11/01/09
     Read & React
    'Hamas: Gilad Shalit's fate is no longer our concern'
    Responses: 45
    IDF investigation shows errant mortar hit UN building in Gaza
    Responses: 29
    Gideon Levy: My Gaza war hero is Al-Jazeera correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin
    Responses: 60
    Medics: Israeli troops edge into Gaza City, killing 14 Palestinians
    Responses: 19
    Editorial: Hamas acts cannot justify Israel's cruel war against Palestinian civilians
    Responses: 63


    More Headlines
    02:44 IDF says Qassam attacks down 50% since Cast Lead launched
    02:13 Egypt: Hamas agrees that fighting in Gaza must end
    23:47 IDF begins deploying reservists into Gaza as part of ground op
    03:02 Sources: Hamas leaders hiding in Israel-built Shifa Hospital basement
    22:37 WATCH: IDF uncovers booby-trapped school next to Gaza zoo
    02:11 IAF bombs dozens of smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza Strip
    19:32 Gaza rocket hits playground in Ashdod, amid barrage on Negev
    17:34 IDF soldiers come under fire at Syria border fence
    19:58 Olmert: Nobody will determine Israel's right to defend itself
    21:48 Obama: Gaza war underscores need for immediate Mideast solution
    22:11 WATCH: IDF drops leaflets over Gaza, warning of impending attack
    18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email
    02:16 Joe the Plumber trades his wrench for a reporter's notepad in Sderot
    00:50 Israeli's cross their fingers hoping 'Waltz with Bashir' brings home the Golden Globe
    19:27 Two Egyptian children among 4 wounded in IAF strike near Gaza
    01:18 Report: Madonna receives death threats from Muslim extremists
    17:55 ANALYSIS / Synching IDF and government over Gaza
    21:03 Rights group: IDF using white phosphorous bombs in attacks on Gaza
    03:18 Dead Sea makes candidate list for 'seven natural wonders'
    21:50 MK Lieberman: Israeli Arab party and Hamas have same goal - to destroy Israel
    21:53 Sources: Hamas fired anti-aircraft missiles at IAF planes
    20:04 Anti-Israel protesters try to attack U.S. consulate in Karachi
    14:23 Gush Katif evacuees implore gov't to let them resettle Gaza
    13:37 Red Cross will no longer escort Palestinian ambulances in Gaza
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved