Thousands stream to Netivot protest

NETIVOT - Tens of thousands of anti-disengagement protesters defied a police ban and attended a protest-prayer rally and march in the southern city of Netivot Monday, but Internal Security Minister Gidon Ezra said marchers would get nowhere near the Gaza Strip. "For this march, Kfar Maimon will be the final stop," he said. The rally was delayed several hours, after police and security forces stopped buses on the way to Netivot, in some cases confiscating keys and drivers licenses from bus drivers. After police announced they would disallow the march, the Yesha Council called on pullout opponents to come to the demonstration 'by foot, car, or train,' and protesters from the northern city of Kiryat Shemone walked 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) to Koach Junction to join another group en route to Netivot. Organizers had planned a three-day march to Gush Katif, but are currently expected to end the walk late Monday night at Kfar Maimon, several kilometers from Netivot. Due to the large number of demonstrators, police officials have decided not to interfere with the march to Kfar Maimon, despite the fact that it was deemed illegal. Who needs buses? Activists making their way to Netivot (AP) Yesha Council: democratic, legitimate protest Yesha Council Head Bentzi Lieberman told Ynet that Police Chief Moshe Karadi asked for the march to be canceled because he lacked the necessary forces to oversee it. However, settler leaders refused, saying the rally and march were "democratic and legitimate" rights. Karadi, in turn, said the demonstration's organizers are using the event to infiltrate Gush Katif and thwart the disengagement process, a charge Yesha Council leaders deny. Right-wing calls foul Organizers of the protest said demonstrators will march with orange ribbons tied across their mouths to symbolize their silencing by the authorities, and right-wing leaders blasted the decision to ban the rally, saying the move would only inflame an already touchy situation. "The decision to prevent the arrival of buses is a tragic mistake that will escalate the situation on the ground and bring violence," said National Religious Party Knesset Member Effi Eitam. Knesset Member Uri Ariel (National Union) criticized Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, saying he "is giving rise to the extremists and provocateurs" and "acting like a dictator in every sense of the word" by preventing people from exercising their democratic right to protest. Far-right activist Baruch Marzel said he hopes the police's decision would help the Yesha Council understand "that this is a time for war, not for negotiations." Wednesday break-in to Gaza Several protesters and soldiers were injured in clashes at the Kissufim Crossing over the weekend between right-wingers who attempted to break barriers to enter the territory and security forces who tried to prevent the infiltration. IDF: bad timing IDF Southern Command officer Brigadier General Guy Tzur slammed the march’s timing. “The Yesha Council’s march is diverting our attention, and instead of dealing with addressing Palestinian terrorism, our attention is turned to events that should not be held now,” he said.

Thousands stream to Netivot protest

20,000 anti-pullout activists descend on Netivot for demonstration, march towards Gush Katif; police declare protest illegal, say marchers intend to break through Gaza blockade