Arutz-7's Ezra HaLevi live-blogged the massive anti-government protest in downtown Tel Aviv Thursday night. Though it appeared with the most recent entry on top during the coverage, the order has now been made chronological for ease of reading. 6:00 PM The day's newspapers all feature headlines such as, "Fateful Night" and "The Test of the Square" as the nation and its politicians look toward Tel Aviv's largest square to see whether a coalition of unfunded organizations and student groups can fill it with citizens demanding Prime Minister Ehud Olmert resign and hold early elections. "The goal: 200,000" Yediot Achronot headlines challenge protesters to fill the square "We really have no idea how many people are going to be here tonight," says Yakir Segev, head of Hebrew University's Student Organization and one of the leaders of the reservists' protests that began immediately after the conclusion of the Second Lebanon War. "What we are sure of, and you can see it already, is that this is one of those rare moments in Israel's history when there is a truly united movement among Israeli society." Indeed, one is hard-pressed, even in Tel Aviv, to find a supporter of the ruling Kadima Party. The ultra-left Meretz Party has a small contingent setting up banners in one of the corners of Rabin Square, as the square has been called since the murder of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin. Another large group of students from the Im Tirtzu (If you will it...) movement wears T-shirts bearing the likeness of Theodor Herzl. They took part in a protest march to Jerusalem, held a vigil outside Prime Minister Olmert's residence and have now returned to Tel Aviv in hopes that the rest of the country will follow their lead. Two hours before the protest, police and border riot police outnumber early protesters Left-wing Meretz youth Sign: "Olmert, Peretz [Halutz' name is crossed out]. You took command. Take responsibilty - Step Down." Anti-Olmert bumper stickers cover the port-o-potties Large background sign: "Screw ups. Go Home." Young activist distributes stickers calling for early elections Protestor shouts: "We have been here for days now!" Sign: "Olmert, Prime Failure" [rhymes with 'Prime Minister'] Signs: "Elections Now" Ari Harrow, who heads the Likud's Anglo Division, sums up the sentiments of many of the protesters: "This isn't just about the last war - it is about the next one." 6:45 PM The square is slowly filling up as of 6:40 PM. Though initially called for 7 PM, organizers say that the main part of the protest has been postponed until 8 PM to allow protesters from northern Israel to arrive. Due to the grassroots nature of the protest, no funding for buses, as is almost always the case, was available. Sderot youth calling for Olmert's resignation 8:00 PM The square is now filled, speeches are about to begin. "Good evening, welcome to the prime minister's last night," says the announcer on the speakers' platform. Sign: "For Sderot's security - Resign!" Signs: "Elections Now" 8:10 PM Osnat Vichinsky, bereaved mother: "We are demanding that you resign because you wronged us. You must resign now!" 8:32 PM The square is packed and chants of "Olmert go home" are sweeping through the crowd in between speakers. The speakers are neither celebrities nor politicians, but bereaved parents, reservists and student activists repeating the charge. 8:37 PM "Prime Minister Olmert, take responsibility for your failure. Go home!" bellows Uzi Dayan. "Do the right thing and give the mandate back to the nation." Olmert: The victims of Lebanon and Amona are my doing 9:00 PM It is announced from the stage that at least 200,000 people have arrived at the protest. Journalist Meir Shalev bellows from the podium: "There is no education, no welfare, no security - so go home Mr. Prime Minister!" A black coffin with "Kadima-Labor" written on it is passed across the crowd. 9:06 PM The representative of the grassroots Reservists Movement gives the most stirring speech of the evening so far. "Look us in the eyes and pay close attention to what we are telling you, Olmert: Go home! All the tricks and shticks and corrupt wheeling and dealing that you try to pull will not help you," Roni Ziegenbaum says from the podium. "You have been indicted by every one of us. "Every second that you stay on as prime minister you endanger our lives! We will not give you the opportunity to endanger our lives again. Our lives are not worthless. If you don't leave, we will expel you!" (Photos: Ezra HaLevi)
