Thousands Rally In Tel Aviv For Two States, Against Occupation
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JERUSALEM (JTA) — Thousands of Israelis gathered on Rabin Square in Tel Aviv to demonstrate against what organizers called “50 years of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories.”
The rally on Saturday night under the banner of “Two States-–One Hope” was organized by Peace Now and included left-wing Israeli political parties such as the Zionist Union and Meretz, as well as several other left-wing organizations. Liberal artists including Balkan Beat Box and singer Achinoam Nini performed at the rally.
Crowd estimates ranged from 15,000 to 20,000.
A letter from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the organizers was read on stage. “It is time to live, you and us, in peace, harmony, security and stability,” it read. “The only way to end the conflict and fight terrorism around the world is through a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, Palestine alongside Israel.”
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog, head of the Zionist Union, called for the establishment of a strong political bloc to defeat the right wing, which has been in power for years.
The rally came days after the country celebrated 50 years since the reunification of Jerusalem during the Six Day War.
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