Left and right clash at Tel Aviv rally to support Palestinian state
Rally participated by 21 Israel Prize laureates was to culminate by signing declaration of Palestinian independence outside Tel Aviv's historical Independence Hall.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Middle East peaceLeading left-wing cultural leaders, including several Israel Prize laureates, were verbally accosted on Thursday during a rally in support of an independent Palestinian state.
The rally, taking place outside Tel Aviv's Independence Hall, was reportedly disrupted by right-wing activists equipped with bullhorns, who called out: "leftist professors, it will all blow up in your face," "Kahane was right," and "traitors."
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Left-wing rally in Tel Aviv, April 21, 2011. |
| Photo by: Moti Kimche |
Rally organizers and participants, who included 21Israel Prize laureates, said present police forces did not separate rally goers from objectors, as they usually do during right-wing events.
The speech by Israel Prize winning actress Hanna Maron was disrupted several times by right-wing counter-protesters, who yelled out "fifth column." Disruptions reportedly continued even after attempts by organizers to quell the anti-rally sentiment by mentioning Maron lost her leg during a 1970 terror attack on an El-Al flight.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak released a statement following the clash, saying disagreements must be solved "without the word' 'treason' and without violence."
"The state is facing fateful decisions and everyone wants a safe and strong Israel," Barak said. "I call on all to demonstrate responsibly."
Prior to Thursday's rally, protest organizers said they planned to sign their own written declaration to this effect, adding they intended to invite members of the general public to join them in signing the document.
"The Jewish people arose in the Land of Israel, where its character was forged. The Palestinian people is rising in Palestine, where its character was forged," the proposed document declared.
"We call on everyone who seeks peace and freedom for all peoples to support the declaration of Palestinian statehood, and to act in a way that encourages the citizens of the two states to maintain peaceful relations on the basis of the 1967 borders... The total end to the occupation is a fundamental precondition for the liberation of the two peoples," the statement continues.
Sponsors of the event insist it will not be a token protest, but rather part of a larger process that will lead to a legitimate alternative to Israel's current policies.
"Our initiative is not a naive one," said Sefi Rachlevsky, one of the initiators of the demonstration and a Haaretz columnist.
"Instead of Israel being the first to extend its hand and support Palestinian independence, it is trying to warn against it. That is not only a moral disaster, but it's also liable to bring about a practical catastrophe in which Israel will isolate itself and turn into a kind of South Africa."
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As a friend of Israel, I think that the violent conflict among right and left is very dangerous, because the Jewish State must be united under the basic principles that had inspirated her creation. The reason resides in the center - virtus est in medius. Palestinian State in West Jordan, Yes, but recognizing, verily, her neighbor, and through new secure borders. Jerusalem, Israelian Capital, but smaller parts under Arab rule. Salute from a Brazilian Christian.
If we care about our future as Israelis, we must support the efforts of the Palestinian people to their right to an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. It must have recognized boundaries, security and live in peace with Israel in a symbiosis as well as coexistence for the benefit of both peoples. Our future is also the Palestinians' future. We must come to terms with that.
If they catch control of judea and samaria,they will smuggle weapon there and even fire missile on holyland and telaviv.arab will never be our friend,not only because they are racist but also because they believe we grabed all their country with force.they are cheating us.i dont recognize the palestinian state i even dont recognize the south of lebanon as a lebanon.
it seems to me that the left and the right agree that there should be a state...the question is...what would be the borders of that state....it would be more interesting to hear or read what they think the borders should be..and then lets see how different the left and the right are on this issue.....
I sincerely wish israelis would free themselves of the medieval practices of orthodox zealots and access an open-minded, beautiful Judaism which is not doomed but full of hope and has a future. Self-destructive imbecilic self-appointed "spiritual" leaders. Israel's standard behavior is to paint its enemies of the moment as enemies of the World.
On the 14th of may,1948,on Rothchild Blvd., David ben gurion declared the state of israel after 2000 years. On April21, 2011 on rothchild blvd. the state of palestine was declared by 2000 years of senility.
"We have to try something", they told us before Oslo. We all have seen what a disaster Oslo turned out to be. Again they make the fatal mistake of giving concessions to the Arabs before they clearly are willing to live and share with Israeli's and especially Jewish history, which is key to the entire peace prize.
Rally participated by 21 Israel Prize laureates was to culminate by signing declaration of Palestinian independence outside Tel Aviv's historical Independence Hall.?
These extremely educated Israelis are the jewel of Israel and they know what they are talking about.. Peace is loved by good humans and anti-peace are loved by war mongers such as Hitler and other 20th and 21st century criminals.
Your courage and intelligence shine to the whole world
In cultures throughout the world, the right wing feels empowered to use violence in suppressing opposition. It is the left wing that seeks peace, fairness and nonviolence. It is a struggle between zealotry committed to dogma and ideology versus a left wing committed to developing rational consensus. Judaism has always encouraged debate, truth and social justice. The left wing carries on that tradition.
are the sames fools of today! We were right then, and we are right now.
but criminals of Oslo
war-time Germany ?
It is so sad that the defeatist, lack of pride, pollyana leftists can't leave go of their decades failed ideology. Their "brilliant" initiative to support a "Palestinian" state- when there are Arabs, but no such thing as "Palestinians" is a gross and existentially dangerous exercise in monologue masturbation. There is no power base- not even a minyan- of people that make a political difference in the Arab world that sincerely want and would accept an Arab state in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Besides that it they want all of Eretz Yisrael, will not accept Jewish sovereignty on a centimeter of land here, such a state would not be a viable state- there is not way to give it natural resources- not least of which is water- which is a problem in the region, would not provide enough area for natural growth- not to mention the Arab principle of return of "refugees" (i.e.- code tactic to implode Israel.) Lording over the coastal plain and Jerusalem Corridor would be two great a temptation for the Arabs to complete the salami domino technique of wiping out the Jewish state. We have so much experience that a signed piece of paper does not last past new leadership or regime or type of government change. Time to take off the blinders and drink the bitter medicine of reality before its too late. Arab killing of Jews in the most brutal and heinous of methods like the Itamar Fogel family instance shows what the Arab real agenda is. With no Itamar left- G-d forbid- the next stop is such an attack in Ramat Aviv or Herziliya. We forget the pre-67 terrorism perpetrated in Gush Dan or along the coastal beach areas.
these people give hope and these people want to save israel because netanyahu and his parties will make middle east like a hell.......these leftists people we like to see in israel who loves peace and know the meaning of humanity
I have a lot of sincere respect for the Israeli demonstrators in favor of a sovereign Palestinian State. Nevertheless they are tragically wrong and their appeal is frought with grave dangers for the Jewish State as long as there will not be mass demonstrations in favor of a sovereign Jewish State on the land called Palestine among Arab Palestinians
the palestinian arabs need to demonstrate that Israel has a right to exist
The Palestinians were given the right to a homeland by the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan. Israel exists due to that law. The Arab League drove the Palestinians from their homes in 1948 and stopped their dream of freedom. I am an Israeli Jew and far from left wing. The nature of relations between Israel and it's neighbors should be decided through negotiations. Both nations have the right to exist. Earl S
Not only the Europeans but also our friends in Tel Aviv.
If the purpose of this world is for the best people to extablish the best nation, then the Zionist government press on. Whereas, if the purpose of this world is to reach the ultimate conclusion of self-righteousness and evil, then Israel repent.
Alas it will be too little too late after much Jewish and Arab blood is spilled when Israel will be attacked from defenseless borders
only on one condition,should we agree to establish a palestinian state,if they agree to take Tel Aviv,and make it it's capital,instead of Jerusalem,this way we will get rid of the criminaly insane traitorous leftist self hating enemy colaborators.Let these usefull leftist idiots live under palestinian rule
Your words mean so much, coming from Brooklyn.
I fear it it this very atitude and sentiment, this terrible denigration of "the other," which in fact goes in both directions, which poses the greatest danger to both us as a people, as well as to our precious, if lost, state.
Articles include the destruction of Israel which was never formally rescinded among many other articles. They refuse to recognize the Jewish character of Israel. They need to take steps other than slander Israel and by inference Jews everywhere .
... moreover, because the right wing slanders, it tries to invite counter slandering...
How come there are no Leading left-wing Palestinian cultural leaders taking to the streets in the Arab world supporting a rally in support of the reconition of an Israeli Jewish State ? Where are they ? How come we only have Israeli left-wing calling for a Palestinian state . No 28 has hit the nail on the head.
the Israeli state. They are not asking to be recognized as a Muslim state. You are asking to be recognized as a religious state, like Iran. Great company there. No other country in world has been asked or recognizes Israel as a "Jewish" state. Exactly what does that mean to you?
There are no thought police we allow people of all political beliefs to go out there and make themselves heard.
Where is the nation state of the Christian people. There should be one with Jerusalem as its undivided capital.
Israel is a Jewish state like Greece is a Greek state.
We should all be sure to read what a peace agreement, a Final Status Agreement, can look like by reading it: http://www.geneva-accord.org/mainmenu/summary Let Israel lead the way to end the conflict. Israel can only benefit from either its success, or the Palestinian failure to join.
Finaly, some people in Israel apply the Moral value of the Holly Book, that all human have equal rights.
Welcome Palestine!
number 1 you are 100% right .the left is self hate thats the problem and they make looks inteligent
Only if there is a similar reciprocal support of a Jewish State,by both factions of the Arab regimes,namely:the Fatach,The P.A Authority & Hamas,only then should Israel lend its hand in recognizing a state for the Palestinians. Not a day earlier.But the Left through its history of always missing the pulse of reality has chosen to turn a blind eye to all their murderous charter,their bloodthirsty killings of men,women & children & non-recognition of an Independent Jewish State.
"Maron lost her leg during a 1970 terror attack on an El-Al flight." Does she have to die before you will believe there are those of us who want to do the right thing DESPITE the fact that there are those who would have us fight until eternity - Jews and Arabs! Don't be one of them. Join the move to end the bloodshed. Don't prolong it!
Please read, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oslo_Accords Under the "Principles of the Accords" It says, :" Along with the principles, the two groups signed Letters of Mutual Recognition - the Israeli government recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, while the PLO recognized the right of the state of Israel to exist and renounced terrorism as well as other violence, and its desire for the destruction of the Israeli state." Now PLO/PA recognizes the right of the state of Israel to exist, I won't say Israel should lend its hand in recognizing a state for the Palestinians, BUT do you, yourself, lend your hand in recognizing a state for the Palestinians?
Our destiny is to develop OUR country.
What a wonderful way for some of them to get back into the lime-light
Hmm. What's up with that? Police showing their support for the disrupters?
Discipline, perserverance, stamina, awareness - these used to be familiar traits in Israel. But now - is this a new and sad era? Moving from a hotheaded and heated debate to fistfights and an armed conflict and civil war in Israel? No. But democracy surely is an annoying thing - so many people with "bad" opinions (irony). But I hope that a large number of center-center-left israelis will speak and demonstrate and offer alternatives.
The people who disrupted the gathering are also entitled to express their opinions. They, like most Jews in the world, are fed up with a tiny handful of (very public) ultra-elites that stop at nothing to denigrate the value of Jewish lives to impress European elite counterparts.
Instead of demonstrating in favor for palestinians/terrorists. They should demonstrate to bring Gilad Shalit home!
They didn't get the headlines when they spoke out in favor of bringing Gilad home cause everyone (except our hard-nosed government) is demonstrating for that. They've (we've) been doing that for 5 years! What does that tell you about your govenment? The fact that you didn't see them demonstrating tells me you're only looking for what you want to see-something on the left to hate. Look at it for what it is.
17 left-leaning intellectuals? How many Haaretz friends of Sefi Rachlevsky? How many were camera crews? A hundred, a thousand, ten thousand people? Are 17 enough to steer the Israeli Titanic away from collision course with the rights of Palestinians and the world's self-righteous indignation of the delegimitizers of the Jewish state? Does this rally appear even at other news media in Israel or elsewhere? Or is it a testimony that left-leaning intellectuals and artists can make it to the streets, that they aren't sleeping?
The laureats perhaps are talented people in their field only, they are not trained and not capable to run the politics, but what they can do is to send wrong and dangerous message to the public. This is what the are doing. What a shame!
The politicians say there's no one to talk to. Salaam/Shalom
Instead, we must BUILD, BUILD in the whole of OUR country. The sooner we reach 1 million Yehudim in Yesha, the better!!!
that governs the right. "Settlers": not a geographical designation- a diagnosis.
demonstrates success of liberalism.... clueless and confused public
...But sin is a disgrace to any people."
By the way, Arafat was an Egyptian, not "palestinian".
An indepenedent terrorist Palestinian state without any peace agreement is a prescription for future wars.
Everybody is entitled to make its choice. But if there will be no peace with Palestinian state without giving them our holy places in Jerusalem. I prefer to be able to freely visit Western Wall over having a peace treaty with Palestinians which will forbid me such a visit. Palestinians made it clear in Gaza they are not accepting Jews living among them - this is why we had to deport all Jews from Gaza.
that the so-called "declaration of independence" for a Palestinian State was not signed in Ramallah, the capital of any future state. Seems the so-called declarers are sending a message that they expect TA to be part of that state and not part of Israel. THAT is consistent with the usual rabble of TA lefties. Personally, I believe we should give the Arabs the left bank of TA in exchange for the settlement bloc.
Israeli leftists can show their support for a palestinian state, but they can never declare a palestinian state. That is up to the palestinians themselves. Thus, your statement doesn't make any sense.
The Palestinians are just looking to get an easy handover of territory so they can move up and start firing from there. They will look for an easy handover of Israel proper by way of a right of return. Failing to get it the easy way they will start firing from their advanced positions. The leftist apologists will find a way to blame it all on other Jews because for them the Palestinian primitives must be coddled and saved by superior leftist thinking. Fortunately, they are no more than a loud minority..
Honest debate can kill the Right. Try to argue with them on a rational basis about the value of settlements in the West Bank. Who can possibly justify it from a rational point of view? The Palestinians will eventually become citizens and Israel will become the lost dream. To argue, they will rely on: It used to be ours, we dreamt about it for 2000 years, the Messiah will come, etc. No rationality. No wonder that there are effectively no intellectuals in the Right. Thinking people automatically become leftists, just because they think! Instead of getting into a losing debate, the Right hates, threatens and intimidates.
The leftists has lost their love for Israel! They are now working hard for their palestinian terrorist friends. Also for people like you with a clear anti-Israel agenda!
Just like unrealistic Communism dream, the Left idea is based on the assumption that if only Jews would give land to Palestinians there would be peace. It didn't work in 48', didn't work in 67', and Palestinians already declared they will not recognize Israel as a Jewish state - not to mention have peace with us. This means that for having peace we have to: change our national hymn, declaration of independence, give up all historical places of importance to us. Israel will not survive if it will not remain the Jewish state. Support from Jews in the diaspora is crucial, and they will not support a "democratic state with many Jews in the ME".
To simply shout "let there be a Palestinian state" is childish. They should ask themselves: Do we want Jews to freely to go to the Western Wall? The naive answer "Under Palestinian rule" didn't work out so well in Gaza. Without a Jerusalem accord there is no peace treaty. So the next question should be: Do we support a Palestinian state which we know will continue its fight against Israel? Sounds crazy, but I think yes, for demographic reasons. These demonstrators are totally naive. They believe that if they will give back Temple Mount to Palestinians, Jews will still be free to visit these holy places.
I do hail those who are couragious to utter the truth and nothing but the truth which states that a Palestinian state is a must and a two state solution for both peoples are the core of ever lasting peace in this region of the world.
They want Israel wiped off the map.
They want Israel wiped off the map.
Oslo Accord stated exchanged mutual recognition : PLO & Israel . I also believe the current Palestinian leadership -Abbas does recognize the state of Israel and now not a single Palestinian dare to say : wiping of Israel.
A secure, peaceful, and successful Palestinian State is an important endeavor for Israel's own sake and unfortunately it seems only the left wing seems to represent that ideal. However, it must be noted that many left wing representatives speak on behalf of all Palestinians - saying what they want, building their constitutions, etc. The Palestinians and Arabs, contrary to popular belief, do have a voice in this country, albeit often minor. It does not seem right to have people speak on behalf of a nation that is not their own, even when supporting them. As the new National Left party claims, sometimes it looks as though left-wingers view the Palestinians as retarded children who can't speak or do anything for themselves.
We Zionists who abjure the very idea of occupation recognize the Palestinians are intellectually an extremely gifted people, oddly similar to the Jews in their educational levels and accomplishments. I envision a most remarkable partnership between our peoples, one that will amaze the world.
What makes you think a Palestinian state would be 'secure, peaceful and successful'?
I could not agree with you more that the Palestinian nation has great promise in intellectualism (along with a need to curb the loud minorities terrorist activities), that is why it is important that any notion of a Palestinian declaration of independence and/or constitution should come from the Palestinian nation with Israeli support rather than Israelis with Palestinians to be merely spectators.
That is why there are so many noble prize winners in the arab world. Oh wait, maybe two and the jews have hundreds.
The people of Israel should indeed liberate themselves from beligerant occupation, and by doing so they will also be liberating the Palestinian people. Settlement activity is a blight on both peoples.
Do the "Rightists" not understand that they are creating an EXISTENTIAL risk for israel?
the meaning of PEACE......
Keep waiting! A pro-Israel rally in the Arab is as likely as Ahmadinejad converting to Judaism!
you are 100% correct!
Who doesn't support the state of Israel?
Unlike the Israeli left.
The Palestinians staged their recip[reciprocity by firing an anti-tank rocket at a clearly marked school bus. You were probably reading Haaretz at the time which has a history of not printing about Islamist attacks on Jews but only about condemning Jewish self-defense. Much like their sister papers, the BBC, Guardian, and NY Times
'Waiting for the other side' to do the same thing is playground thinking and playground politics. Lets put our own house in order. Simple
Doesn't that particular state already exist?
The consensus of Arabs is so extreme, so emotionally loaded, that empathy exists only outside politics. Perhaps a few mothers, privately, who meet under the mostly anglo-promoted coexistence initiatives, will say something nice, but very far from what these intellectuals and artists are saying. However, what these left-leaning intellectuals are saying is not pro-Palestine only; but in their view, it is pro-Israel's survival and soul. The right-wingers who were there were ONLY caring for Israel, and thus in collision course with the entire international community. They believe they can be stiff-knecked and tough and wring something good for Israel. They don't see farther.
Arabs have only 23 states and only 500 times the land of Israel. Given there contribution to humanity- in sciences (bombmaking), law(of the jungle), culture media and sport they deserve another one instead of Israel including land owned by Shocken family...
We knew what the price was to speak out against the establishment of our own state. Anyone who did was considered a traitor. So, expect unto others what was expected of you. We had our elements who wouldn't wait for someone to give us Israel on a silver plate; they went and killed innocent bystanders at the King David Hotel. Did that nullify our quest for a state of our own. Luckily not. That doesn't mean there aren't Palestinians who support a peaceful partner State of Israel. On the individual level, from my discussions with those in the territories, they'd support our right to exist, if they could only control their own destiny. We must stop being the problem and stand next to those in the lead for the solution - a peaceful, cooperative Palestine and Israel that will get the moral and financial backing of the entire world. Only the absolute diehards will oppose it and be marginalized in the process.
once back behind '67 borders with no occupied EJ.
If in the future after peace, Israel was in danger, or if Jews were persecuted again, yes, you would see leftists all over the world support them. Right now, Israel exists and is very secure with nukes and a massive army and powerful friends. Why should we rally for Israel? It is Palestine that needs help, your question is silly
And will t hey be as effective as they are in Libya? Syria/ Rwanda? Darfur? In the 30's and 40's in the US many liberal Jews opposed the creation of Israel as it might rock the boat for them with respect to American anti-semitism. Palestinians need help? Dozens of countries giving them billions of dollars, military equipment, roads, schools, and they offer NOTHING in return.