The People demand Erets Israel! Despite the late hour, hundreds of people attended the Women in Green yearly walk around the walls (August 8, 2011). After a beautiful and moving Eicha reading by David and Bentsie Matar at the Independence Park across the American consulate, the crowd listened to the different speakers: Rabbi Mordechai Rabinovitch, MK Professor Arieh Eldad, MK Dr Michael Ben Ari, Lehi fighter Ezra Yachin and historian Arieh Yitzhaki- all emphasizing our loyalty to the Land of Israel and a united Jerusalem. Before leaving for the walk, the crowd called «Free Pollard Now» for Jonathan Pollards release. At the Lion's Gate the crowd stopped and listened to Rabbi Yossef Mendelevitch's special prayer for the release and complete recovery of Jonathan Pollard. Rabbi Mendelevitch also said kaddish for the many Jews who died at that very spot, whether during the second Temple period fighting the Romans or in 1967 when our paratroopers entered through that gate to liberate the Old City. When the walk passed the Damascus Gate, with Jews carrying hundreds of Israeli flags, while thousands of Arabs were celebrating their Ramadan, everybody understood how important it was that Women in Green leaders had insisted on keeping that original route and had not caved in to the police's demand to change the route. Among the participants in the walk were many English and French speaking olim who came from all over the country to be part in this special event. The walk ended by the Dung Gate and people went to the Kotel to pray ,with the fervent hope that by next year, Moshiach will come and we will be able to go up to the Temple Mount and witness the building of the Third Temple. See all photographs and blogpost@livejournal. © text by women in green