Israelis hold demo against a strike on Iran, say their officials diverting attention from ailing economy

TEHRAN,Aug.25(MNA) – Two weeks after the first demonstration against an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities was held outside Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s home, the protest appears to be spreading, Ynetnews reported. According to the report, dozens of people rallied near the Defense Ministry compound in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening. The protesters, mainly left-wing activists, chanted “No to war” and waved signs reading “No to an attack on Iran,” “Social justice demands peace,” “Strip Middle East of weapons of mass destruction,” “Dialogue, not bombs” and “Ehud Barak is leading us to ruin.” Some of the protesters wrapped themselves in shrouds and lay on the ground as though they were dead. “We are protesting against Barak and (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s apparent plan to launch a war that would endanger the entire region,” said Niv Michael, 25, a member of the Hadash party. “They are trying to divert attention from the budget cuts and the high unemployment rate,” he said. Meanwhile, dozens protested outside Barak’s home in Tel Aviv, as they have every day in the past two weeks. “We are determined and sense that we are having an effect. The resistance movement will carry on until an attack on Iran is no longer an option,” one demonstrator said. Another protester, who lived in Iran before moving to Israel, said, “I believe the Iranian people do not want a war either… The calls for war are irrational.” Also on Thursday, about 40 people demonstrated outside the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem and chanted, “We want education and welfare – not missiles and war.” One of the protesters said, “There is a silent majority that fears Netanyahu and Barak’s maneuver.”