(haipo) – The pro-Palestinian protest: On Saturday, May 31, a large-scale demonstration is expected to take place in Haifa, initiated by the "Peace Partnership" coalition, which includes over 40 organizations, including Hadash. The demonstration, scheduled for the afternoon, at Bishop Hajja/Stella Maris Square, is intended to mark the 58th anniversary of the Six-Day War, and to call for an end to the war in Gaza and the recognition of a Palestinian state. The initiators of the demonstration emphasize its joint Arab-Jewish nature, but right-wing elements claim that this is a provocative event that poses a danger to public peace.
Planned demonstration sparks opposition among right-wing elements
The planned demonstration provoked strong reactions from right-wing political figures. Haifa MK Ariel Kellner of the Likud claimed that the demonstration was not intended to promote rights, but to support the enemy: "The real fascism is the one that denies the right of the State of Israel to protect its citizens... The demonstration planned for this coming Saturday is not a demonstration for rights. It is a demonstration for the enemy."
Attorney Dror Meir Ohana, a resident of Kiryat Shmuel and representative of the "Otzma Yehudit" list, expressed concern about the use of Haifa as an arena for demonstrations of this type: "Behind the guise of calls for peace, anti-Semitic bodies operate, and even those that actually support the enemy and the terror that seeks to annihilate the Jewish state.
Unfortunately, Haifa has recently become a fertile ground for these types of demonstrations, which are occurring again and again in the larger cities of Israel. Any call for the establishment of a Palestinian state is in fact a call for the destruction of the State of Israel – clear and unambiguous.
After all, the invented 'Palestine' is located exactly on the same land that was promised to us and where the only Jewish state was established. A people cannot be an occupier in its own land, and history, the Bible, and reality all testify to this. This week's torah portion we read only emphasizes: The land will be desolate for our enemies, because it belongs only to the people of Israel. The day our enemies understand this and abandon their national aspirations and accept our ownership of the land, then, with God's help, peace will come."
Shai Glick, CEO of the "In Your Picture" organization, called on Haifa residents to come out and oppose the demonstration:
"This is a complete hallucination. Why do people from all over the country have to come to a demonstration in Haifa?"
There is a cynical and dangerous attempt here by extremist elements to turn Haifa into the capital of Palestine. I call on the Israel Police to act by all legal means to stop this incident of incitement and hatred.
And to the residents of Haifa I say: "Don't sit on the sidelines. Get out of your homes, stand up in your bodies against this hatred. Only you can save your city."
Protest organizers claim violation of freedom of expression
Organizers: "There is an effort to suppress freedom of expression"
On the other hand, the organizers of the demonstration claim that the police are trying to suppress freedom of expression by delaying the demonstration's approval and pressuring it to change its slogan.
The organizers' statement stated:
"Despite police attempts to cancel the demonstration and suppress freedom of expression… the only answer to the attempts at suppression is a joint Arab-Jewish struggle against silencing."
Police are reviewing the request to hold the demonstration.
Haifa Police confirmed today that a request to hold a procession was received, and the issue is under review:
"In accordance with the guidelines and procedures, the application will be examined based on professional considerations, while taking into account aspects of licensing, safety and public order as is customary."
Hadash emphasizes the broad nature of the demonstration
"Partnership for Peace" Coalition
Hadash reported that the demonstration is an initiative of the "Peace Partnership" coalition, which includes over 40 organizations, and Hadash is one of them. They emphasize the joint Arab-Jewish nature of the demonstration and its goals of promoting peace and ending the occupation.
Demonstrations in Haifa: Between freedom of expression and fear of escalation
Demonstrations in Haifa, especially those related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, often provoke tensions between freedom of expression and fears of escalation. Similar demonstrations in the city have ended without incident in the past, but the fear of riots or clashes between protesters and opponents is always present.
The public debate surrounding the demonstration reflects the gaps in Israeli society
The varying reactions to the planned demonstration reflect the deep divisions in Israeli society regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, freedom of expression, and the identity of the State of Israel. While some in the public view the demonstration as a legitimate expression of protest, others see it as a threat to the integrity and security of the state.
Will Haifa remain a city of coexistence?
Haifa, known as a city of coexistence between Jews and Arabs, faces another test. The planned demonstration could be a test of the city's ability to accommodate different opinions and maintain public order.
The planned demonstration in Haifa is sparking widespread public debate, with arguments for and against from various parties. Will the demonstration take place as planned? Will it pass peacefully or spark riots? The coming days will show how events in the city will unfold.
Mayor Yona Yahav said in response to the comments that Haifa is a city of coexistence and tolerance. "This should also be reflected in the demonstrations here. No one will succeed in damaging the fabric of life in the city."
I hope for the people of Haifa that they will wake up before they and their families are massacred.
They behave exactly like the enlightened smallpox that came out against the state, lived nearby, employed them, collaborated with and cared for the Palestinians, and were slaughtered by them.
They constantly go out and protest against the war and this week they called for me to go out to a demonstration. The Nakba and even went out and said Push is the capital of Palestine. This is very serious. Because they do not accept the State of Israel if they come out with such a statement Push is Palestine. Enough with all the demonstrations. Because they come out against us because they do not recognize the State of Israel and therefore anyone who comes out and protests and does not recognize our State of Israel. Take away his citizenship and deport them. Because those who sit here receive more than me and my children and grandchildren for the benefits. In academic studies. Also significant discounts on studies, exactly what a volunteer soldier receives. The state came to them and why did they not volunteer for any aid organization. Or in their community. Something to contribute because they do not serve in the army. They receive all the benefits and finally do not recognize the state that is trying so hard to express towards them and that is proof that they are still today after 77 years. They do not accept that this country is ours. It is enough to come towards them because they will always continue to harm and poke our eyes. Because they do not appreciate the treatment that the state gives them in order to appease part of the state and that does not help. On the contrary, they are only given the desire to harm. They are not looking for coexistence. It is just a good slogan for the entire left.
Read the response of Attorney Dror Ohana and you will understand why demonstrations in support of Hamas are prohibited. Dror is an authentic representative of the people from the ground.
These demonstrations in Haifa are happening because there is a no longer so slow "immigration" to Haifa of Galilee Arabs who are completely different in their mentality from most Haifa Arabs, who are progressive Arabs who have worked together with Jews for years and advocate coexistence.
In a democratic country, it is permissible to demonstrate, in a fascist country it is forbidden… Let them decide where we live and let us know!
And for the Haifa system – Palestine is the correct spelling, Palestine is a derogatory word in the language of the extreme right, not the way the word is written.
What a coexistence. During the time of Mayor Gural, he prevented them from entering any houses that they had broken into (old neglected houses) and expelled many of them. They are always trying to come and settle in the city of Haifa and take over it. The former mayor did not mind that many Arabs from the villages bought apartments in Haifa. That is the reason. For a Jew to want to live in their villages, as an example, none of the residents there would allow a Jew to live in their neighborhood. That is the truth. But here, the greedy Jews sold them to the Arabs.
What fascist state are we talking about here?
This is incitement. There is a group here in particular that enjoys all the benefits of a democratic state with an excess of rights and no obligations. First serve in the army like the Druze and Bedouin Jews and then protest. We are tired of these protests. Whoever doesn't like it should move to an Arab state. There are plenty around us. There has never been such a thing as a Palestinian state and there never will be!
This newspaper is known to support demonstrations against the government and the coup. But look where you had to go to find someone who would give the fascist angle you wanted: to Kellner, who is currently trying to damage public broadcasting on behalf of Shlomo Kerei, to a representative of the Kahanist party, and to the walking thought police from Beit Shemesh. Doesn't this make you stop for a moment and think that perhaps your desire to suppress and selectively silence Arab demonstrations is wrong?
The organization in question is a racist organization.
What's the problem with the demonstration?
Afraid that the world will see our ugly faces, they will spread videos of the arrests we make anyway
It's really hard to figure out what the problem is.
And what they are doing about the demonstrations is not incitement. It is proving that they do not coexist with us. They do not accept that this is the Jewish state. Maybe you will wake up leftists living in the bubble. Get out of there. What happened in the Gaza Envelope, Hamas broadcast to all the communities in the Gaza Envelope and what it did to all the residents of the Strip. Those good people from the Strip took those cancer patients to the hospital because they took pity on them. And what they did to the infiltration back into their home and murder them and their families. You will wake up after 77 years still crying because you do not accept that this is the Jewish state and they dream of Palestine and you Jews embrace them. You are acting blind because it will hurt you too. To prove that they do not accept that we are here in Israel, which is their Palestine. A few years ago there were riots in Lod and Acre and people were injured and murdered. They burned down stores in Haifa. These are the same people who are protesting and you are participating in their demonstrations. You are acting against your people.