Thursday, July 17, 2014

Racist demonstration in Jerusalem on July 14

On Monday night, July 14, I met a friend in downtown Jerusalem for dinner, near Kikar Zion. That same night a mysterious right-wing group had announced that they were going to have a demonstration there, and then march to Damascus Gate in the Old City, under the slogan "We're the bosses here" (כאן אנחנו בעלי הבית). After finishing dinner with her, I walked over to Kikar Zion to observe the demonstration.

The first thing I noticed was the large police presence, mostly from the Border Police - men in blue-grey uniforms carrying batons (in addition to pistols). Across the street there were mounted police. There seemed to be more police than demonstrators.

From Jerusalem summer 2014

Then I realized that there was a smaller counter-demonstration on the steps at Kikar Zion, separated from the right-wing demonstration by a line of police

From Jerusalem summer 2014

Here's one of the posters held up by a member of the left-wing demonstration.

The poster reads: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor!"
From Jerusalem summer 2014

After watching the right-wing demonstration for a while, and listening to their slogans (and curses), it became clear that it was organized by Kahanists - followers of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane, who led the explicitly racist and anti-Arab movement Kach.

From Jerusalem summer 2014


From Jerusalem summer 2014

Notice the man in the center of the photo. His white t-shirt shows the face of Meir Kahane.
From Jerusalem summer 2014
The man on the right has a circular sticker on the his shirt - with the words "Kahane was right."
From Jerusalem summer 2014
Two more of the leaders of the demonstration. The one on the right is wearing the "Kahane was right" sticker, the one on the left is holding a Kahanist banner (I can't quite figure out the words).
From Jerusalem summer 2014
The man in the center of the photo with a blue shirt - it reads "Im Tirtzu." This is a right-wing organization that has fascist tendencies. (The Kahanists are a clearly fascist, racist organization).

From Jerusalem summer 2014
A few people gathering at the beginning of the demonstration, carrying Israeli flags.

This is a short video of the demonstrations.
From Jerusalem summer 2014
From Jerusalem summer 2014

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