Up to 20,000 rally in Tel Aviv for two states

Thousands of Israelis gathered in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv to demonstrate against what organisers called “50 years of Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories.”

The rally on Saturday night under the banner of “Two States – One Hope” was organised by anti-settlement group Peace Now and included left-wing Israeli political parties such as the Zionist Union and Meretz, as well as several other left-wing organisations including the Geneva Initiative, the New Israel Fund, “Standing Together,” “Zazim” and “Reinforcing the Left on the Web”.

Liberal artists including Balkan Beat Box and singer Achinoam Nini performed at the rally.

Crowd estimates ranged from 15,000 to 20,000, with organisers putting the crowd total at 30,000.

A letter from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the organisers was read on stage: “There is no stronger voice than the voice of just and comprehensive peace, just like there is no stronger voice than that of people seeking self determination and freedom from occupation. It is time to live, you and us, in peace, harmony, security and stability. 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: “We must put our egos aside and join together to one political bloc. A political bloc which includes parties, public figures and movements that work for change. A political bloc that is not interested in a binational state, in half a democracy. A bloc that wants a Zionist, Jewish, democratic with equality to minorities and openness to a variety of views. This bloc needs to include many from Livni to Kahlon to Lapid and others. Only together we will win.”

Peace Now Director General Avi Buskila also attacked the current government, saying, “For years we have been letting the irresponsible right wing government take us down an abyss, hinder our democracy, our morality. Today we are putting an end to this. We are fighting for our future in a Jewish and democratic state.”

The rally came days after the country celebrated 50 years since the reunification of Jerusalem during the Six Day War.