On 15 February, the world saw mass demonstrations opposing war in Iraq, with people protesting in some 60 countries and 300 cities across the globe. People from all walks of life took to the streets, from Sydney to Berlin, from Rome to New York, to send a message to their leaderships that came through loud and clear: STOP THE WAR! Two peoples, two crimes Palestinians and Israelis throughout the country came together in Tel Aviv to add their voices to the worldwide protest. Annika Hampson reports Palestinian and Israeli demonstrators assembled on Saturday in a small square in the centre of Tel Aviv and marched through the wet streets shouting, "Palestinian and Israelis against the war. Down with Bush, down with Sharon, down with the occupation. Bush and Sharon get out of Jenin and Baghdad." The demonstration was as much a protest against the Israeli government and the occupation of the Palestinian territories as it was against the war in Iraq. The main thrust, though, was directed at Washington and the looming war. Daily, the pages of Israeli newspapers are crammed with predictions of deadly Iraqi missiles hurtling towards Israel or of a new upsurge of suicide bombings that might be triggered after the first strike on Baghdad. However, the real underlying fear of many of the participants was that a war against Iraq would provide Sharon with the pretext for the mass expulsion of Palestinians from the territories and the virtual end of the Palestinian Authority. What plans have already been prepared in meticulous detail, just waiting for President Bush to provide the smoke screen for their implementation? How many trees are slated for uprooting? How many houses are to be demolished? How many people have been secretly sentenced to death or are to be sent into exile? The questions were asked by Haim Hanegbi of the Israeli peace group Gush Shalom. Shai Levy, a resident of Tel Aviv, didn't know about the march beforehand but joined the demonstration when he saw it. "As an Israeli, I am not scared for my personal safety and I don't think there will be any real implications for Israelis. I think people are marching here for the same reasons as people are marching everywhere today, not out of self-interest." Levy added, "I don't believe that war is the solution and like many people, I seriously suspect the motives for a war in Iraq." As the demonstrators marched down Ibn Gvirol Street, the mood in the crowd was characterised by optimism. Manal held one banner reading, "War won't solve the Palestinian problem". She explained why she had joined the demonstration. "I wanted to be here. I want my voice, my protest to reach the USA. This is the first time that Arabs and Jews protest together. It's a very good step." Issam Makhoul, a member of the Knesset and the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, is also hopeful. "Until just last week, the world thought all Israelis support the war. Tonight, people who until now have kept silent, are showing that they do not accept what is happening. We are showing an alternative voice." He continued, "We have a real interest to be together against war. This demonstration is bringing together two peoples to acknowledge two crimes." The demonstrators were estimated at approximately 3,000. They included grandmothers and children, the main reason why the march was peaceful despite the heavy police presence. A sea of colourful banners, placards and flags, in both Arabic and Hebrew, read, "No blood for oil. Drop Bush, not bombs and Money for jobs, not for war". A joint Palestinian-Israeli petition was read out. "No to the war against Iraq", it read. "End the Israeli occupation. We, Israelis and Palestinians, are opposed to this war. This is not a war for the sake of security or justice, but rather a war for power, hegemony, control and greed. We are determined that security and freedom for the sake of all the people of the Middle East will not be achieved by war, violence and death." There was an enthusiastic welcome for Yesh Gvul Speaker Dan Tamir to the stage. Tamir is a reserve captain who has refused to serve in the occupied territories. He read a letter written earlier in the day by young refusniks imprisoned in Military Prison 4 calling on American and British soldiers to follow the path of refusing to serve in an "oppressive and aggressive war". Haidar Abdel-Shafi, the senior Palestinian statesman, was among the speakers, addressing the rally by phone from Gaza. "We condemn the American intent to wage war against Iraq... we call for stopping aggression against Palestinians... we call for a solution based on justice and peace." Just outside the square a small group of Likud activists staged a counter-protest. "The extreme left has gone crazy and is supporting a murderer," their signs read.
