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Teens getting high in Gush Katif
Settler leadership losing control over infiltrators at Neve Dekalim, teenagers smoking cigarettes, drugs during summer vacation away from home. Rabbi of Gush Katif calls for end to violence
By Efrat Weiss
Woodstock or political demonstration? Away from the anti-pullout riots at Kfar Darom, the situation in Neve Dekalim resembles summer camp rather than a political demonstration.
Out of sight of the cameras, and far away from their parents, religious teenagers - boys and girls together - can be seen smoking legal and illegal substances, and whatever else they feel like.
Local rabbis have also tried to calm the situation to prevent teenagers from becoming sexually active, but not all participants in Disengagement Summer are given to listening.
| Gush Katif heats up |
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| Violent clashes in Neve Dekalim / By Efrat Weiss |
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Settlers, right-wing activists attempt to block shipping containers from reaching homes in Neve Dekalim; large forces battle protesters, clear roads. About 50 activists detained, kicked out of Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, overwhelming majority of northern Gaza settlers leave homes |
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The fact that many Yesha Council heads are nowhere to be found in Gush Katif is contributing to the loss of control, and the few leaders who are around have little influence.
On Monday, Gush Katif Rabbi Yigal Kaminetsky praised the teens for their commitment, and promised they would win their struggle.
“Together, without violence, we can win this struggle,” he said.
The rabbi also addressed those teens who prevented moving trucks from reaching the settlement Monday.
“It’s true, there are people here who are packing. People here have lived in a crazy situation with terrorism for five years, with mortars hitting their homes, kindergartens, and playgrounds," he said.
"People here have undergone something we can’t even imagine, but there are plenty of people very quick to pass judgment.”
Kaminetski also ridiculed the kids who punctured tires, and asked the “crazies” to refrain from further violence.
“It’s a real ‘experience’ to puncture tires, eh?,” he said cynically.
Rabbi Kaminetski also addressed settlers' behavior, saying, "It might turn into a big mess. Unity, faith and actions could bring about victory."
On Saturday night, when teenagers tried to confront police forces at the settlement's gates, Rabbi Aviner and Rafi Seri, the chairperson of the headquarters of the Fight for the Gush Katif Area, tried to stop them to no avail.
Thousands of infiltrators in the settlement
A few thousands guests, primarily teenagers, joined the Neve Dekalim settlers lately, but residents have been debating whether these teenagers were helping the cause or not.
The leadership of Yesha council feared that far-right extremists damage the struggle's national makeup. Their fears were proven false at Kfar Maimon, Sderot and Ofakim, where these youngsters obeyed Yesha Council's instructions.
This time, in Neve Dekalim, the rules have changed: Chances that the leadership's calls for restraints will be heard are slim.
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