Approximately 10,000 people attended a demonstration in Tel-Aviv on the evening of Feburary 9, under the banner "The Occupation Is Killing Us All" The main issues discussed were an immediate end to the occupation of Palestinian land and solidarity with the growing number of young Israelis who are refusing to serve in the military occupation force.

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Tel-Aviv: Approximately 10,000 people attended a demonstration in Tel-Aviv on the evening of Feburary 9, under the banner "The Occupation Is Killing Us All" The main issues discussed were an immediate end to the occupation of Palestinian land and solidarity with the growing number of young Israelis who are refusing to serve in the military occupation force.

Among the speakers in attendance were Tel-Aviv University sociologist Yehudah Shenhav, Jamal Zahalka of the Israeli-Palestinian party al-Balad, Israeli author Ronit Matalon, long-time activist Uri Avneri of Gush Shalom, Yishai Menuchin of the Israeli conscientious objector organization Yesh Gvul "There is a Limit/Border"), recent military "refusnik" Yishai Rosen-Tzvi, Israeli-Palestinian psychologist and activist Dr. Nabila Espanyoli, spokespeople of Ta'ayush Arab-Jewish Partnership, and others.

Exemplary of the speeches during the demonstration, Prof. Yehuda Shenhav stated emphatically that "The government tries to tell us that the soldiers who refuse to serve in the occupation are a danger to the democracy of Israel, but I say, no, the opposite is true: it is serving the occupation that endangers democracy" Along these lines, Uri Avneri of Gush Shalom stated optimistically "The 'Refusniks' are the beginning of the end for the occupation."

In addition to the speakers, Israeli singer and songwriter Achinoam Nini (Noa) sang a Hebrew/English rendition of John Lennon's peace-anthem "Imagine."

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