Anti-war activists protest outside Barak’s home

About 100 activists chant “money for welfare, not war" outside Defense Minister's home as Gaza operation takes off.

Anti-war protester 390 (photo credit: NADAV SHEMER)
Anti-war protester 390
(photo credit: NADAV SHEMER)
Around 100 people gathered in protest outside Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s Tel Aviv apartment complex on Wednesday night, following the IDF’s launch of Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza.
The activists, including members of Meretz, Hadash and the newly formed Pirates Party, chanted slogans such as: “Israel, Palestine, two states for two peoples,” “Money for welfare, not war,” “No war for tycoons,” and “Defense minister, defense minister, how many kids did you kill today?” One of the placards waved at the protest referred to Barak as Israel’s “No. 1 terrorist,” while others called for an immediate cease-fire and an end to the Israeli “siege” on the Gaza Strip.
Amit Ashkenazi, a spokesman for Hadash’s election campaign who participated in the demonstration, accused the government of taking a “cynical step” to raise support for the right wing ahead of the January 22 election.
“This will only bring death to Palestinians and Israelis, and we call on everybody who is able to come stand by our side and fight against this step before civilians and soldiers on both sides are killed,” he told The Jerusalem Post.
More protests were planned for Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa on Thursday, the Hadash spokesman said.
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