Three hundred and fifty (350) cars (!!!) - we counted them one by one and that's also the official police data - and an estimated 1,000 Modiin residents (!!!) protested yesterday (Friday) via a car convoy and demonstration in front of the Israeli Aircraft Authorities in Ben Gurion, to express their outrage against the IAA intent to turn Modiin into an Airport.
The car convoy stretched for several kilometers along route 443 and highway 1 and blocked for a period of time the entrance to Ben Gurion Airport.
It was heartwarming to see the impressive turnout by Modiin residents (unprecedented in Modiin history) who conducted themselves patiently and orderly in the long convoy to the Airport which lasted over an hour, and stood in the sun and heat in front of the IAA offices, to express their protest, along with their children who received an important lesson in Democracy.
Credit for most photos: Eli Gal
A public in a democracy has power, and what differentiates between cities that are trampled on and between cities whose needs are brought into account is the mobilization of the public and its ability to express forcefulness and resolve.
The public of Modiin-Maccabim-Reut sent a clear message yesterday to the decision makers in Israel that we are not going to quietly accept the arbitrary decision of the Aviation Authorities, and that we will mobilize to fight this in any way available us, making the Modiin public a force to be reckoned with.
The change in tune by the IAA CEO Kobi Mor who spoke to the demonstrators was evident.
A complicated battle still lies ahead, and we are likely to need similar protests in the upcoming weeks. We are hopeful that the Modiin public will have the wisdom to mobilize to the future protests in similar masses.
The following excellent video coverage of the protest by the GO443 shows the heart and spirit of the Modiin residents:
http://www.go443.co.il/Go443/Video/Video.asp?ID=327#
Links to more media coverage and photo album of the protest are available on our Hebrew website: http://planes.modiin.us
Kudos to all the Modiin-Maccabim-Residents residents who took part in the rally yesterday and made it into the impressive event that it was!
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