May 4, 1997 Thousands rally for state inquiry into Bar-On Affair By URIEL HEILMAN JERUSALEM Thousands of people turned out for a mass rally at the Wohl Rose Garden opposite the Knesset last night, demanding the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Bar-On Affair. Ray Elbaz, 21, one of the demonstration organizers, called upon "young and old, Right and Left, religious and secular, Sephardim and Ashkenazim" to unite in the pursuit of justice. Producer Yigal Goren, a former Israel Television reporter who worked with a group of young people to coordinate the event, said, "This event has significance for the entire political spectrum. We will step up the pressure; this is just the beginning." Last night's demonstration was the culmination of an effort that began on April 22, when hundreds, including former attorney-general Michael Ben-Yair, gathered opposite the Knesset to demand a state commission of inquiry into the Bar-On affair. Since then, small groups of protesters have been at the Wohl Rose Garden, holding a vigil 24 hours a day and soliciting signatures on a petition demanding the inquiry. Elbaz, who spearheaded the protest with Dani Zarzewsky, explained that every citizen should demand the commission of inquiry be set up to ensure the integrity of the nation's leaders. "Netanyahu was chosen in a democratic way," said Elbaz, "but here things were done that were just not right." "If they behave this way with regard to the appointment of the attorney-general, how will they make decisions tomorrow regarding Hebron, the economy, and other things?" said Orit Marom, who has been volunteering at the protest every day since it began. "As concerned youth, this frightens us." Elbaz explained that recent events propelled him to action. "The Bar-On Affair was the red line for me; I was just seeing too much corruption in the government," he said. His frustration reached its breaking point when the prime minister responded as if the attorney-general's report had conclusively proved his innocence. The protest, Elbaz said, ensures that "the prime minister won't sleep well at night. This should at least let him know that his nation is disgusted by him." The day after the protest began, the volunteers' efforts were joined by Goren, who provided technical assistance to the campaign. By the morning after the initial demonstration, Goren had arranged for a tent to be set up at the site, procured the necessary permits for the protest, set up a bank account for the thousands of shekels flowing in to the campaign, and got individuals and companies to supply the volunteers with cellular phones, stickers, posters, and food. Since then, support for the protesters' demands have come from all ends of the political spectrum. While most of the youth coordinating the protest are affiliated with the Left, supporters have come from across the political spectrum, including Shas. Several MKs, including Shimon Peres, Ehud Barak, and Yossi Sarid, have signed the petition, and the petition has also been circulating with the help of volunteers in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beersheba, Holon, and Ashdod, who set up protest booths in each of those cities. Some 70,000 signatures have been collected so far. Elie Eidelman, a volunteer who has spent several hours every day at the protest site said, "Even if the protest doesn't help now, at least it will help make integrity an issue in the next elections." "Our task was to bring the issue to public awareness," said Elbaz. "Now it is in the hands of the citizens. This is the spark that should ignite the fire."