Thousands rally in Jerusalem against Annapolis - Haaretz

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Wed., November 28, 2007 Kislev 18, 5768

Israel Time: 02:17 (EST+7)

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Thousands rally in Jerusalem against Annapolis

By Nadav Shragai

The most salient evidence of the right's feeling of crisis was yesterday's return of Shaul Goldstein to the bosom of the Yesha Council of settlements, which he abandoned last year.

Goldstein spoke at the rally the council organized against the Annapolis conference and dividing Jerusalem, which drew thousands of people to the capital's Paris Square.

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Goldstein quoted Ehud Olmert's words of two years ago - "We are tired of being brave, we are tired of winning, we are tired of defeating our enemies" - and declared: "Your role, Prime Minister Olmert, is to ensure that our enemies get tired of losing. We aren't tired of winning, defeating our enemies or being brave, and you have no mandate to cede the Land of Israel, the historic property of the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel did not establish a state so that you and your weak government could concede it."

Yesterday's protest activities began with a mass prayer session at the Western Wall, which included the recitation of Psalms, penitential prayers and prayers for the peace of Israel. Then, hundreds of rabbis from the Union of Rabbis for the Land of Israel gathered in Yeshivat Hakotel to draft several declarative resolutions, including the following:

* "There is a grave Torah prohibition on giving parts of the Land of Israel to non-Jews, and all the more so to the Palestinians, who are enemies and foes."

* "The decision to establish a Palestinian state is unauthorized ... null and void from the outset, and forever ... and constitutes a betrayal of the government's duty to defend all its citizens."

* "Everyone who joins the government in carrying out this miserable plan violates the prohibition: 'Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor.'"

Rabbi Dov Lior, chairman of the Council of Yesha Rabbis, told the meeting: "Peace has claimed 1,000 lives, and still their hands are outstretched. This peace is the opium of the masses."

After the prayer session, many of the worshipers marched to join the thousands of demonstrators gathered in Paris Square. With mixed emotions, the protesters listened to speeches from three members of Olmert's coalition: MKs David Tal (Yisrael Beiteinu), Nissim Zeev (Shas) and Zeev Elkin (Kadima). The three MKs promised not to allow Olmert to give up Jerusalem or freeze construction in the settlements, but nevertheless drew some catcalls and cries of "Leave the government!"

Yet the demonstrators appeared to have equally mixed feelings about the news that MKs Arieh Eldad and Effie Eitam (National Union-National Religious Party) had boycotted the rally because coalition members were invited to speak.

Yesha Council Chairman Danny Dayan described the government's moves as "stupidity and blindness" in his address to the rally.

"Just two years ago, they sacrificed a flourishing piece of land, expelled its pioneering residents, and brought us Qassam [rockets], terror and Hamas," he said. "No more. We won't let you. It won't happen. We have come to defend the unity of Jerusalem, the security of Tel Aviv, the essence of this state, and loyalty to the values that established it."

MK Zvi Hendel (National Union-National Religious Party) also addressed the rally, saying: "There is no animal more dangerous than a wounded animal, and today, Olmert is an animal that has been wounded by committees of inquiry and police investigations. From this weakness stems his desire to divide Jerusalem and free [Palestinian] murderers. There has never been a prime minister so dangerous to Israel."

The demonstrators appeared to agree. Throughout the event - which also featured a rendition of Naomi Shemer's classic anthem to the city, Jerusalem of Gold - there were repeated calls from the crowd for Olmert's resignation.

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