4,000 turn out to 'rave against the occupation' in Tel Aviv
Some 4,000 people turned out for Thursday's "Rave Against the Occupation" in plaza at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
Under the banner of, "Leave the Territories or Don't Leave the House," some of Israel's leading DJs, including Nabil: Yaron Sobol; Avner Malkha; Yaheli; Ori Likhtig; Yoav B and others spun their disks for the revelers, who danced the evening away as images from Israel's latest military operation in the territories, as well as from the 1967 Six Day War, were beamed onto a giant screen. The rave was not sponsored by any official political movement (apart from the Peace Coalition, an umbrella organization of several leftist groups, which helped with publicity for the event). It was a spontaneous initiative undertaken by young people in their twenties, who are sick and tired of staid demonstrations staged by the left at Rabin square.
They raised about $10,000 to organize a different sort of protest. This spontaneous, informal organization has been directed by two unofficial leaders: The artist Ro'e Arad, who is remembered mostly for appearing in the Eurovision song contest with Syrian flags, is "responsible for personnel" and Shai Rapaport, director of a small high-tech firm in Kfar Sava, has become spokesman.
Rapport said, "they say that we are left-wingers, they say we're freaks, but thousands of people came here tonight prove that we are one of the last sane voices in the country."
Former Meretz leader, Shulamit Aloni, was also in attendance, as were other prominent left-wing leaders, who for the most, just watched from the sidelines.
By Yoash Foldesh, Ha'aretz Correspondent -- Yoshie
* Calendar of Events in Columbus: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/calendar.html> * Anti-War Activist Resources: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/activist.html> * Student International Forum: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/> * Committee for Justice in Palestine: <http://www.osu.edu/students/CJP/>