J'lem social justice rally canceled after terror attacks

Student Union vows social justice protest will continue after security events in South end; Likud MK Kara had called for protests to cease.

By LAHAV HARKOV, BEN HARTMAN, JPOST.COM
Tent city protests (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Tent city protests
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
The National Student Union on Thursday canceled a social justice rally planned to take place in Jerusalem outside of the Prime Minister's Office on Saturday night, following terror attacks near Eilat in which at least six people were killed.                "After consultations with the youth groups, social organizations and tent protest leaders involved in the rally it was decided to to cancel this coming weekend's protest events," the Student Union said in a statement.
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The Student Union offered its condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks and wished those injured a swift recovery.
The statement added that following the conclusion of the security events in the South, the social protest would continue.
This will make Saturday night the first time in five weeks that the movement hasn't held a series of protests.
 Earlier on Thursday, MK Ayoub Kara (Likud) called for the tent protests to stop, following the terrorist attacks near Eilat.
"Security matters are once again the most pressing issue," Kara said. "We are far from being like Finland or Holland where social issues are most important."
He added: "If I were one of the architects of the protest, I would announce that all demonstrations are canceled until the Trajtenberg Committee announces its findings, out of identification with those injured in the south."
Kara warned that in the coming months "difficult events are sure to happen," and said Israel's priority should be defense.
The Likud MK singled out those who pitched their tents on Rothschild Street in Tel Aviv.
"Those protesters are all in the middle class – they're not in a crisis situation like the demonstrators in Beersheba or Kiryat Shmona," Kara explained. "When the country faces difficult situations, the middle class can put its protest on hold."
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