A few hours after it was announced that 12 Palestinians had been killed in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli army, Gush Shalom called for an improvised protest demonstration in Tel-Aviv.

In spite of the holiday and the short notice, 120 protesters gathered near the Ministry of Defense, including activists of other organizations (Anarchists, Women's Coalition, Hadash etc.) They hoisted posters and flags and shouted slogans that demanded an end to the blockade of strangulation and starvation that is being imposed on the 1.5 million Palestinian inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, and the opening of a dialogue with Hamas on a mutual ceasefire, as offered by that organization.

The posters said: "No Tanks and No Qassams - Ceasefire Now!" - "The Blockade on Gaza is a War Crime!" - "End the Economic Strangulation of Gaza!" - "There Is No Military Solution In Gaza!" - "Ceasefire in Gaza and Sderot!" - "Hamas Is A Partner For A Ceasefire!" - "I Am Gaza, Too!"

After 20 minutes, the police appeared. Apart from two motorcycle riders who passed at great speed and tried - unsuccessfully - to grab a Gush Shalom Two-States flag from a demonstrator, there were no incidents.

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Somebody has to start shouting - report with background by Adam Keller