Demonstrations in Israel in solidarity with the Egyptian people

About a dozen of demonstrations held tonight (Saturday, January 2011) on Israel: Jaffa, Nazareth, Shefamr, Um el-Fahem, Sakhnin, Kufr Yassif and other localities. In Jaffa, about 1,000 Arab and Jerwish residents hit the streets to protest the "phenomenon of right-wing Jewish settlement" in the mixed city located just south of Tel Aviv. But, many protestors carried Egyptian and Palestinian flags, in solidarity with the Egyptian people struggle for democracy and social justice.

 

Matan Kaminer, carrying an Egyptian flag in Jaffa

One leftist protestor, Matan Kaminer, a former political prisoner and activist of Hadash (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality – Communist Party of Israel) carried an Egyptian flag and said that demonstrators "need to learn from the Egyptian people how to rise up. Maybe that way our struggle will succeed." Another protestor, Said M., added: "Both in Egypt and in Israel they are trying to continuously, methodically repress the people in the same way. We fully support the Egyptian people's struggle against the corrupt regime there."

Hundreds of demonstrators slammed Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, while urging him to quit. Signs held up by the protestors included messages such as "Beware, the mayor supports racists," "We won't abandon Jaffa to the right-wing settlers," and "No to apartheid."

The demonstrators including Hadash Knesset Member Dov Khenin, a leading Communist Party member, who said: "We came to say no to racism and to settlement in a clear voice. Justice and equality will defeat racism and the settlers. In other and, we support the Egyptian workers and young people struggle against the regime of Mubarak and for democracy and social justice"