Kiryat Shmona residents fed up with 'empty promises'

Council member: Shelters weren’t set up, many were helpless under constant rocket fire

Reuters | Published: 09.07.06, 22:46

Under the title "We've been neglected" and "You've lost the North", 100 people gathered at IDF Square in Kiryat Shmona Thursday to protest against the government's decision not to establish a State inquiry of commission to probe the Lebanon war.

The gathering was a joint effort by the Movement for Quality Government, the Civilian's Front for Kiryat Shmona and IDF reserve soldiers.

The area's residents harshly criticized the governments functioning during the war. According to Kiryat Shmona council member, Yigal Buzaglo, "The town's residents have been neglected by the government and local authorities. Only relatives were evicted. The shelters weren’t set up and many were helpless under the constant rocket fire."

He added:" The conclusions must be immediate. Only a State investigation committee will get us out of this difficult position we're in. We are fed up with ministers' empty promises."

Signing a petition in Kiryat Shmona (Photo: Avihu Shapira)

Avraham Avuri, a Kiryat Shmona resident for the past 36 Years called out "(Prime Minister) Ehud Olmert and (Defense Minister) Amir Peretz must come to conclusions and resign. You have let down our soldiers and the people of the north. Our city, among others, wasn’t functioning and now you've come here to make promises and take pictures as you always do."

The former mayor, Prosper Azran, also arrived at the square and joined the criticism. He said: "There were major errors in the war management. What other country sends its troops with outmoded equipment and simultaneously leaves its citizens unprotected with no eviction plan?"

The gathering was attended by all segments of the community from the various political parties. One of the event's organizers Daniel Yosef said the protest will spread to further cities. "We are headed towards a great journey for the opening of a State investigation committee and replacing the failed government."

In addition, protest organizers signed citizens on petitions calling for a State investigation committee.