Operation Cast Lead

Dueling Demonstrations

"The police did a great job of keeping
everybody separated," said David Rott, 30,
of West Bloomfield. "It was peaceful on
both sides; everybody behaved and we got David Rott is holding the "Israel Left Gaza For Peace" sign at left.
our point across."
Robin Schwartz
Rott, a former member of the Israel
Special to the Jewish News
Defense Forces, organized the event
ernment for continuing to support Israel's
and it really went straight to my heart,"
dubbed "Peace Rally '09." He said he was
right to act in self-defense.
Rott recalled. "The next day, I went to
embers of the Detroit Police
tired of seeing Arab-American demonstra-
"We'd also like to remind everybody that the army base in Tel Aviv to sign up."
Department and Federal
tors holding up Israeli flags with swastikas
for years now, Israel has being going out of
Initially, Rott says he was turned away
Protective Services helped keep
on them and making derogatory
its way for peace making all kinds
because he didn't speak fluent Hebrew.
the peace in downtown Detroit as pro-
remarks. One man wearing a
of concessions:' Rott added. "It's
But he kept trying and was eventually
Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators
black-and-white headscarf and
very difficult to deal with people
allowed to complete IDF basic training.
held opposing rallies on the same block.
waiving a Palestinian flag told a
who only want your destruction!'
For several months in 2005, he served
About 50 supporters of Israel's military
local TV news reporter, "Israel
Six years ago, Rott moved to
as a guard at Meggido Prison, which
action in the Gaza Strip gathered Jan. 8
should not exist."
Israel. At first, he lived in a trav-
houses members of Hamas, the Islamic
outside the McNamara Federal building on
"I believe a lot of people who
eler's hostel and did odd jobs like
Jihad and other terrorist groups.
Michigan Avenue holding signs with slo-
are out there saying these things
dishwashing before he eventually
"There were about 1,200 Palestinian
gans like, "Stop using Gaza as a launching
David R ott
are misguided," Rott said. "It's an
became more entrenched in Israeli
security prisoners:' Rott said. "All we did
pad," and "Stop using children as human
insult to our community and I
life. In April 2003 he was at the
was come in each morning and count
shields." Nearby, a group of Arab American
really do not believe the entire Arab world
popular Tel Aviv pub, Mike's Place, when
them. The various groups are separated
demonstrators angry about Israel's two-
or community is for Hamas."
a suicide bomber killed three people and
because they would fight and kill each
week offensive also waved signs and ban-
Outside the federal building, Jewish
wounded more than 50 others in a terrorist other, but there are no prison cells. They
ners. The two sides shouted at each other,
demonstrators also carried Israeli and
attack.
manage themselves!'
but kept their distance.
American flags and thanked the U.S. gov-
"I saw friends die and blood everywhere
Among those imprisoned at the time
was Mosab Hassan Yousef, 30, the son
of one of the founders of Hamas and
the former leader of a radical youth
movement. He has since rejected his
Economy forced several retailers
upbringing, converted to Christianity
and escaped to America.
to return their shipments. We
"The Hamas leadership, including
don't have room! Out They Go!
my father, they're responsible for all the
violence,"Yousef said in a FOX News
special. "There is no chance [for peace].
Is there any chance for fire to co-exist
with water?"
Rott and his Israeli wife, Natalie,
moved back to Michigan this past May,
1)()4,11111S1USVI'llEltS
in part to get away from the daily threat
of violence. He and the other demon-
Leather
Dress
Many Designers
strators
hope more innocent lives will
pure wool suits
Jackets
Slacks
not be lost on either side of the conflict.
"I support Israel because it is a
$9999
$888
$2999
democracy fighting for its life against
enemies committed to destroy-
Comp. at $450
Comp. at $275
Comp. at $55
ing Israel;' said Michael Chayet of
closed to the
Farmington Hills.
1331-011'S is
public but for just 3 weeks
Alongside him at the rally was Joe
•
HUGO
BOSS
•
HICKEY
FREEMAN
Like The Stores
You can Buy
Savin, 78, of Bloomfield Hills. "It was
le sake.
Buy at our samp
• CALVIN KLEIN
• DKNY
very important for me to be here
Hundreds of high quality
because
you have to answer every attack
men's suits, sportcoats &
70 % ,
• JOSEPH ABBOUD • JONES NEWYORK
on Israel;' Savin said. "Our rally reflected
dress slas
at
60%,
ck off retail! Some
our activist approach."
even 80 %
Suits
•
Sportcoats
•
Topcoats
•
Trenchcoats
Even Morel)
Rott says he plans to organize future
Hurl- for best selection)
peace
rallies (www.peacerally09.com ).
Leathers • Dress Slacks • Sweaters • Ties & More!
A number of groups, including Friends
Li uidation Lower Level - Business as Usual U stairs
of the IDF and Chaldeans for Israel, are
behind
him.
15 16 17
"We need to get out there and pro-
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
mote our message Rott said. "We're
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
inviting people of all religions and
backgrounds committed to Israel and
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
27888 Orchard Lake Rd • at 12 Mile Rd.
America's struggle against terrorism to
8
Hurry in!
Mon-Sat 9:30-6 Thurs 'til 9 Sun 12-5
join us!' '7_,

Side-by-side rallies
remain peaceful.

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A18 January 15 • 2009

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