'No agreement on anti-pullout rally'
Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra says no agreement has been reached with settler leaders regarding planned anti-pullout rally in Sderot; earlier settler leaders say they have received authorization to march from Sderot to Ofakim; police officials deny any agreement has been reached
Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra told Ynet Monday that no agreement has been reached with settler leaders regarding the planned anti-pullout rally in Sderot.
“We are negotiating with them, and the current problem is reaching an agreement on when the protest would end. If we will agree on the dispersal of the demonstrators, and if they will give up their plan to march to Gush Katif – the rally will be authorized,” he said.
Ezra said if the protesters would not give up on their demand to enter Gush Katif, police would be forced to arrest them, adding that the infiltration of people into Gush Katif may delay the disengagement and trigger unnecessary clashes.
Earlier settler leaders said that they have reached an agreement with the police whereby pullout objectors would be permitted to hold a rally in Sderot and then march toward Ofakim.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Yesha Council Head Bentzi Lieberman and Israel Police Chief Moshe Karadi, they said.
According to Yesha Council sources, police officials agreed to allow the protesters to march from Sderot to Ofakim should the IDF grant its authorization.
However, police officials have denied that any such agreement has been reached.
Police sources said the protesters may be allowed to hold a rally in Ofakim, but a final decision on the matter has not been reached.
The Yesha Council has insisted that the pullout objectors would march to Gush Katif.
On Sunday a senior police source told Ynet police have not ruled out the Yesha Council holding a vigil in Sderot or Ofakim so long as Council heads notify police when it will begin and end.
Another condition is that demonstrators go home after the vigil and the protest spot be chosen by the police, so as to minimize the danger from Qassam rockets.
Yesha Council leaders rejected the offer.
Karadi is slated to meet with Southern District Commander Uri Bar-Lev and other regional commanders. During the session, commanders will present the chief with Yesha Council requests ahead of the protest and police preparations ahead of it.
Meanwhile Yesha Council leaders met with Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz Monday in an effort to reach an understanding in regards to the planned protest.
Regardless of the ongoing negotiations, Sderot is already preparing for the planned rally. According to right-wing activists operating in the city, some 250 residents have volunteered to house anti-pullout objectors scheduled to arrive for the rally, which is tilted “Our Home is your Home.”
Moreover, special tents will be set up for the visitors within the next couple of days.
Right-wing activist Moshe Shachor said the request for a permit to hold the anti-pullout protest permit would be submitted by Sderot residents in a bid to increase the chances Israel Police would authorize it.
“This is a legitimate protest rally,” he said. “There is no reason the police should prevent us from holding such a rally in Sderot. We are constantly receiving requests by residents who want to take in people from Gush Katif. The atmosphere in Sderot is very sympathetic. It will be much easier than Kfar Maimon.
Over the weekend flyers were handed out in Sderot’s synagogues and streets, and on Monday activists are set to post signs welcoming the pullout objectors to the city.
Settlers may turn to president
Sunday afternoon, settler leader Pinchas Wallerstein met with Commander Bar-Lev to discuss the protest march. During the session, Wallerstein presented the planned march route from Sderot to the southern town of Ofakim, and from there to Gush Katif. However, the police rejected the planned route.
Still, Yesha Council officials say they would attempt to go ahead with the march to Gush Katif even without a police permit. Settler leaders are also considering a meeting with President Moshe Katsav and may call on him to intervene in their favor and so that their protest is allowed to go ahead.
Also Sunday, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz met with Police Chief Karadi to discuss the planned march. The two decided to maintain an intensive dialogue with settler leaders in a bid to reach a compromise before making a decision on sealing off the south and preventing buses and protesters from traveling to the region.
Legal experts explained that Justice Ministry greatly values keeping up all channels of communication in order that right-wing leaders will not petition the High Court of Justice against the demonstration ban.
The experts added that, should negotiations fail, the police would receive full backing from the ministry and the attorney general, and that security concerns would require the banning of the demonstration and closing off paths to Sderot.
