Protest over the amendment to the Citizenship Act continues – some10,000 people on Saturday (October, 16) evening gathered in Tel Aviv's Gan Meir to protest of the loyalty oath bill, which was approved by the rightist Israeli government on Sunday. Protesters also voiced their opposition to the rising tide of fascism in Israel, as well as the growing legitimization of calls to transfer Arab-Palestinian citizens out of Israel.

Entitled "Together against Racism – Jewish and Arab march for democracy", the march from Gan Meir park to the Defense Ministry headquarters brought together demonstrators from the Communist Party of Israel (CPI), the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash), the Communist Youth and Meretz , members of a number of NGOs and activists groups, and thousands of democratic protesters.

Demo in Tel-Aviv, today (photo: Jerusalem Post)

Demo in Tel-Aviv, today (photo: Haaretz)

The participants, carried signs reading: "Lieberman's voice, Netanyahu's hands", "Fascism and ethnic cleansing are standing proud" and "together we'll protect democracy." Demonstrators carried Israeli red flags, and chanted, "Lieberman, Lieberman, a fascist and a racist too".

Leading the procession were Members of Knesset Dov Khenin and Muhammad Barakeh (Hadash), the Secretary General of the CPI, Muhammad Nafa'h, MK Haim Oron (Meretz), former MK Mossi Raz (Meretz) and Tamar Gozansky (Hadash), Peace Now Director-General Yariv Oppenheimer and Gush Shalom leader, Uri Avneri

"Democracy will prevail and racism will be defeated. There is no room for (Prime Minister Netanyahu) Bibi and Lieberman's games in the peace process. Everyone's interest is for a two-state solution. There will be no transfer here," told MK Barakeh.

The protest organizers distributed leaflets titled: "The Israeli government's loyalty oath to the citizens of this country," which read, "I promise not to discriminate or deprive anyone because of their descent, sex, nationality, accent, color, culture, economic status or any other factor. We demand the members of Knesset to be loyal to us and grant us the right to live in dignity, security and hope for the future."

Speaking on a park bench in Sarona garden, MK Khenin said, "The democratic freedom is in grave danger. The nightmare of a transfer is turning into a realistic plan, and that's why we stand here today. The foul wave that started with the Arabs has now reached the Jews who dare think differently".
"Attacks on universities, artists and academicians have also become part of the 'internal danger'. We stand before a fatal battle for our future," he added.

Meretz Chairman Haim Oron also spoke during the rally and said, "A bad spirit is hovering above this land. The test that stands before us is complicated and complex. The Knesset has 11 pending bills that are oozing of racism. We must stop this wave.

"We cannot run a democratic country as long as there is an occupation. We call on the government and the Knesset to freeze all racist laws and continue to freeze the construction in the settlements," he said.