_a.jpg "צילום: ירון ברנר")
Painting Ofakim orange
צילום: ירון ברנר
'If needed, we'll sleep on the sand'
Tens of thousands flock to Ofakim to spend the night, after participating in anti-pullout rally in Sderot
OFAKIM - Following the anti-pullout rally in Sderot Tuesday, protesters made their way towards the southern city of Ofakim, where they planned to spend the night in tents camping in the town's large park.
Everyone found a place to sleep, as buses continued to stream into the town, transporting anti-pullout supporters.
The police are guarding the area and are not interfering with the protesters, as according to agreement.
"The Holy One Blessed be He leads us and where he decides to place us we will be," one woman said, who had arrived at the rally from Kfar Saba with her children.
She came with her friend to Sderot, but suddenly found themselves in Ofakim.
"We didn't plan to spend the night here," she said. "It's not clear how we'll get home. There is no public transport up north at this time of night."
The two women were hoping to find a lift home and wondered between the numerous buses streaming into town. Perhaps one of them would be heading in their direction.
Nightclub closes in respect for visitors
Three 16-year-old youths arrived from Kfar Saba without their parents and without sleeping bags. They plan to stay in the area until Friday.
"We came as is," one youth said. "If needed, we'll sleep on the sand until we have to."
Ofakim resident and owner of the town's only nightclub, Yisrael Barzilai, closed his place for the first time in 15 years.
"I will be closed for the whole week to respect the visitors of Ofakim," he said. "It's quite historical because for the first time I have closed the place, finally a little vacation."
