'Criminal political war': Coalition launches indefinite encampment in Tel Aviv to protest Gaza war
A coalition of more than 60 Jewish and Arab peace organizations has erected an encampment in Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Square, protesting the ongoing war inGaza. The protest, which began today, marks 667 days since the conflict began and is set to remain in place indefinitely.
Organized by the It's Time Coalition, the encampment aims to spotlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while calling for the immediate release of Israeli hostages and an end to the war. The coalition includes groups such as Rabbis for Human Rights, Standing Together, and the Forum of Israeli Peace NGOs.
Mika Almog, the content director for the It's Time Coalition, told The Jerusalem Post that the war has been prolonged for the current government's political gain. "This is a criminal political war that is still going on for political reasons that is not certainly the interest of the Israeli people. Hostages should have been home a long time ago,' she stated.
The coalition, founded in the summer of 2024, held a kickoff event at Menorah Stadium attended by 60,000 supporters. Almog, who is the granddaughter of former Israeli president Shimon Peres, emphasized the shared belief among encampment attendees that the war is "not only inhuman and immoral, but [it's] detrimental to the future of Israel."
A statement from the coalition highlighted the urgency of their message, stating, "This war must end. The most devastating war in our history must be stopped—now." The statement directly addresses the humanitarian toll, referencing the "mass killing, the total destruction, and the starvation of an entire population" and comparing it to the Israeli vow of "Never again."
Peace activist coalition launches indefinite encampment in Tel Aviv to protest Gaza War (It's Time Coalition)
The statement also condemned the treatment of Israeli hostages, describing them as "abandoned to die brutally in tunnels," and called out settler violence in the West Bank.
'We've had enough of death,' the press statement declared, 'We wake up to death in the morning and toss with death through sleepless nights." This sentiment was echoed by Almog, who told the Post, "We will not stop resisting until life once again rules this land."
Counter-protests and disruptions
The encampment has been met with opposition. The article notes that counter-protesters have come in waves, interrupting lectures and yelling at speakers and attendees. The groups have been accused of hating Israel and not caring about the hostages by passing drivers who pulled over to confront them.
Despite the disruptions, the coalition remains steadfast. Almog told the Post that their goal is to end the war, and they intend to stay until it does. 'We have had enough death. We're surrounded by death. We wake up to death in the morning. It's time to allow life to rule,' she said. The organization's statement echoed this resolve, stating that the group will not stop their actions until the war and all its horrors cease.
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