Trance, not transfer

TEL AVIV - 23-year-old Oved Arad, from Moshav Mevo Horon, is in a tough position. As a right-wing activist, he wants to voice his opposition to the Gaza disengagement plan, but as a secular twenty-something, he doesn't really fit into the mainly kippa-wearing demonstrations organized by right-wing organizations such as the Yesha Council.

Not really their scene: a typical right-wing demonstration

To solve his dilemma, Arad and four secular friends have planned a secular anti-pullout party Thursday night at the "Self Club" in Tel Aviv.

He says the event will bring out many secular friends who are opposed to the disengagement but don't feel comfortable demonstrating by

"I used to go to demonstrations, but I stopped because I was one of the only secular people there. The demonstrations are portrayed in the media as 'religious' events, so many secular people don't feel comfortable. But there are many people like me, who want to add their voices to the chorus. I thought a party would bring anti-disengagement young people out of their homes," he says.

Bridging the gap

Organizers say the event's most important goal is to bridge the gap between what they call "two Israels."

"Two peoples have been created here - secular leftists against the settlers. We represent the secular right, and we want to bridge the gap between the two," Shai Meir, 25, of Modiin says.

He says he has received stabbing threats if the party goes ahead as planned, and cites two incidents to illustrate what he believes is a serious split in the nation.

"I recently finished a stint of army reserve duty," Meir says, "and a left-wing colleague told me the only good thing to come out of the disengagement was to 'screw the settlers'."

"Another time, we parked our car, all decked out in orange, in Tel Aviv. When we came back, the mirrors were broken and the car was all scratched up. This is the reason I want to hold the party."

Stopping disengagement

Arad expects the party to attract hundreds of supporters. He hopes the success will lead to other projects that will eventually bring about the downfall of disengagement.

"I have sent teams of people to pass out flyers advertising the party on the Tel Aviv beach, and they were very well received," he says.

"I don't believe the program will come to pass. I think there is a chance to stop the process, but all the passive, anti-disengagement people out there must wake up."