Israeli rightists mock low turnout at left-wing rally in Tel Aviv
The rally attracted fewer people than the number who attended a demonstration showing solidarity with the people of Southern Israel.
By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMANIsraelis attend a pro-peace rally in Tel Aviv.(photo credit: REUTERS)
Ministers and Knesset members took turns mocking Saturday night’s left-wing rally at Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square on Sunday.The rally attracted thousands of people, but fewer than the number who attended a demonstration in the same square just two days before, showing solidarity with the people of southern Israel.Right-wing politicians noted that the Left once was able to bring 400,000 people to a rally in Tel Aviv. But now an event sponsored by 10 organizations could not even fill the square.“The Left has become an endangered species,” said former deputy defense minister Danny Danon (Likud). “We saw it with the small number who came. I have noticed how frustrated people on the Left have become, now that the public has realized we are not to blame for the lack of peace.”Communications Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud) slammed author David Grossman for his criticism of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in his speech at the event. Grossman implied that Netanyahu was at fault for recent racist incidents in the country because he did not condemn them.“After Grossman supported the Oslo process and the disengagement from the Gaza Strip, perhaps it is permissible to point out to him politely that when it comes to his politics, he is serially mistaken,” Erdan wrote on his official Facebook page.Erdan accused Grossman of adopting the narrative of Hamas. He mocked him for suggesting that peace could be made with the terrorist organization.“Of course, Hamas is just as peace-seeking as al-Qaida and ISIS,” Erdan said sarcastically.The Labor Party responded Sunday to criticism at the rally for not attending the event, which was co-sponsored by the Meretz and Hadash parties.“Our goal is not to bring votes from Meretz and Hadash,” Labor faction chairman Eitan Cabel said. “We want support from people who voted in the last election for Yesh Atid, Kadima, and [Justice Minister Tzipi] Livni’s party. We could not receive those votes had we been at the demonstration yesterday.”
