Close to 100 people braved the cold and rain on Sunday in New York City to protest the construction freeze imposed on the Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria. They stood outside the Israeli Consulate on Second Avenue and 42nd Street to protest the latest decree handed down by the Netanyahu-Barak government.
Helen Freedman of Americans For a Safe Israel/AFSI, who organized and led the demonstration, said it “brought together people of conscience who refuse to stand idly by while their brethren in Israel are suffering through the hardships of a total building freeze.”
Participants carried Chanukah menorahs to signify that the warmth and courage of the Chanukah lights and determination will ultimately melt the freeze as well as all evil intentions against the Jews of Israel.
Grassroots activists addressed the crowd, expressing their support of a “whole Israel” – including Judea and Samaria – with no pre-conditions. They pointed out the danger of appeasing the US, EU and UN via this halt on Jewish growth, even as the Arabs continue to build illegally and PA leader Mahmoud Abbas rejects Israel’s gestures. The speakers also condemned Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s "strong-arm tactics" in implementing the freeze, and praised both the residents who refuse to accept the orders and the soldiers who refuse to enforce them.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has often implied that the US insisted on the freeze in return for American help in blocking the Iranian nuclear threat. Speakers at the rally addressed this point, but stated that “using the settlements as a bargaining chip is unacceptable.”
Signs at the demonstration read, “Obama, Go after Iran, Hands off Israel,” “Bibi, Don’t Appease, Don’t Freeze,” “Let My People Grow,” and more.