The "Arutz-7 ten," who were found guilty two months ago of operating an unlicensed radio station, will be sentenced at that time.
The prosecution asked for prison sentences for up to four of the defendants, as well as fines of "hundreds of thousands of shekels" for several of them.
The Women in Green announcement, signed by Co-Chairpersons Ruth and Nadia Matar, reads:
"Arutz-7 has been the major source of objective news and commentary for the majority of Israeli citizens for many years. This large majority of Jews living in Israel had found that they could not get reliable news coverage from the major radio and television stations, whose views were those of a minority of the Jewish People. Unfortunately, it is this minority that controls the major means of communication in Israel.
"We, who have faithfully listened to the broadcasts of Arutz-7 radio for many years, proclaim that we citizens of Israel are just as guilty as the defendants in the Arutz-7 case. We proclaim that we also should have been charged and punished along with these defendants, who selflessly supplied us with objective news and the commentary we needed to hear.
"We also say to the defendants in the Arutz-7 case: You are our courageous heroes and we thank you for supplying us with the relevant news and commentary for the past 15 years. You have given us responsible free speech, and supplied us with the kind of views and Jewish orientation of our tradition and heritage, which resulted in pride in ourselves and love of our country.
"Come with your friends, neighbors and relatives en masse, on Monday afternoon to show your identification with, and appreciation for Arutz-7!"
The prosecution asked for prison sentences for up to four of the defendants, as well as fines of "hundreds of thousands of shekels" for several of them.
The Women in Green announcement, signed by Co-Chairpersons Ruth and Nadia Matar, reads:
"Arutz-7 has been the major source of objective news and commentary for the majority of Israeli citizens for many years. This large majority of Jews living in Israel had found that they could not get reliable news coverage from the major radio and television stations, whose views were those of a minority of the Jewish People. Unfortunately, it is this minority that controls the major means of communication in Israel.
"We, who have faithfully listened to the broadcasts of Arutz-7 radio for many years, proclaim that we citizens of Israel are just as guilty as the defendants in the Arutz-7 case. We proclaim that we also should have been charged and punished along with these defendants, who selflessly supplied us with objective news and the commentary we needed to hear.
"We also say to the defendants in the Arutz-7 case: You are our courageous heroes and we thank you for supplying us with the relevant news and commentary for the past 15 years. You have given us responsible free speech, and supplied us with the kind of views and Jewish orientation of our tradition and heritage, which resulted in pride in ourselves and love of our country.
"Come with your friends, neighbors and relatives en masse, on Monday afternoon to show your identification with, and appreciation for Arutz-7!"