'Anti-pullout protest a democratic act.' Kfar Maimon demonstration
Photo: AP
Sderot prepares for anti-pullout protest
Qassam-ridden town set to host thousands of pullout objectors next Tuesday; Mayor Eli Moyal says, ‘Sderot and Gush Katif are one and the same’
SDEROT - Sderot is preparing to host a mass anti-pullout demonstration next Tuesday, Mayor Eli Moyal confirmed Wednesday.
“I am offering my private villa to the rabbis and settler leaders so it may serve them as headquarters for the mass protest,” he said.
Yesha Council heads expect some 50,000 people to attend the rally, which will apparently take place next Tuesday in groves surrounding the Negev town, in accordance with the Kfar Maimon model.
Organizers plan to begin the rally at the Qassam rocket ridden town and then embark on a march toward the Kissufim crossing and Gush Katif; they plan to distribute thousands of invitations to the protest at synagogues around the country.
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“I do not know if this demonstration would help the residents of Sderot in their battle against the security establishment regarding the continuation of Qassam rocket fire, but it is clear to me that Sderot and Gush Katif are one and the same,” Moyal said.
“My personal view remains that the disengagement is bad for Israel.”
A week ago Yesha Council heads approached Moyal with the idea of holding the second mass protest in areas surrounding the town.
“I told them ‘You are my brothers, and you are welcome’. What happened in Kfar Maimon will happen here as well because it is a democratic act,” Moyal said.
“I would not be able to support them as mayor because I must conduct myself in an official manner, but personally I promise them five-star hospitality in Sderot.”
'Not a criminal act'
He said that while the demonstration is scheduled for next Tuesday, it may take place at an earlier date.
Tens of thousands are expected to lodge in two groves in the outskirts of Sderot; one grove is located near the town’s municipal pool, and the other is situated near Kibbutz Nir Am’s cemetery.
On Wednesday settler leaders are set to meet with Moyal to make the final arrangements for the protest.
“I do not regard this protest as a criminal act, and therefore I support the demonstration in Sderot, which has become an Israeli symbol,” Moyal said.
