Thousands of activists and Israelis from the country’s left-wing parties rallied in the Tel Aviv’s famous Rabin Square in support of advancing a two-state solution with the Palestinians. During the rally, which was attended by Israeli opposition leader Isaac Herzog, participants called on the Israeli government to halt its ongoing activities in East Jerusalem, which they claim to be occupied Palestinian lands, even though Israel annexed the city and declared it as the eternal and indivisible capital of the Jewish state.
“We are here to protest 50 years of Israeli occupation. While the Israeli government is trying to silence us, we are here to prove that we will not be silenced. When the government is celebrating 50 years to the reunification of Jerusalem and the liberation of the territories, we know that this is a lie. We are here to show that there is a majority among the public who support a two-state solution and is willing to fight against the occupation,” said Anat Ben Nun, Intl. Relations director – Peace Now Movement.
Some of the Israeli protesters were seen waving both Israeli and Palestinian flags together, as a symbol for their aspired solution to end the decades old conflict with the Palestinians, a solution Israeli opposition leader Isaac Herzog said became a viable reality since US President Donald Trump seems to be genuine in his efforts to move forward toward peace.
“This is a very important rally of the peace camp in Israel. We believe that there is a golden opportunity following President Trump’s visit to the region, to move forward towards a two-state solution in security and in peace. This is what we are gathered here for tonight, the hope is for two states,” said Herzog.
One of the Israeli protesters, who fought during the 1967 Middle East war, stressed that even though the numerous attempts to reach a peace agreement with Israel’s Arab neighbors frustrated many of Israel’s public, hope persists among the public to bring about an end to the decades old Arab-Israeli conflict.
“When we were 19 years old, it was the 67 war (in 1967) and we were sure it is only a matter of time before we will reach some agreement with our neighbours and we are very frustrated and we are minority and we hope that something will bring the people out and that was what we hope to do here. I still have a hope and I hope that I will see it during my life,” said Yonatan Lerner, Colonel (Res.) Israeli Air Force.