6-10-08, 12:20 pm

Tel Aviv – Hundreds of people Saturday, June 7 along Tel Aviv's Rothschild Boulevard to Meir Garden to protest the 41st year of the Israeli occupation and the incessant rocket attacks on the country's southern region. Demonstrators carried signs reading 'Children in Gaza and Sderot want to live' and 'End the siege on Gaza.' Among those who took part in the rally was a leading member of the Communist Party of Israel and a Knesset Member Dov Khenin (Hadash, Democratic Front for Peace and Equality) who told the press that 'the purpose of this demonstration is to warn of two possible wars a 'small war' in Gaza, and the larger regional war with Iran, which (Transportation Minister Shaul) Mofaz speaks of. The latter may result in a large-scale catastrophe.' 'There is an alternative to fighting,' M.K. Khenin continued, 'we can reach a ceasefire agreement and subsequent calm in Gaza; we can discuss a prisoner exchange deal similar to the one that was struck this past week between Israel and Hezbollah. 'We must advance the negotiations with the Palestinians and Syria and base them on the implementation of the Arab peace initiative. Life here must be based on dialogue and negotiation rather than fighting,' Khenin said.