VIDEO - Some 70 foreign diplomats visited in Sderot Thursday, to observe up close what life was like in the Qassam-battered southern town. Five rockets landed across the Western Negev throughout the day, causing no injuries or damage.
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| Foreign Minister Livni (Video: Shiran Velk) |
Accompanied by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, the diplomats first visited the local police station, where they had the opportunity to observe and touch Qassam duds. They then continued to an elementary school in town, and met with fourth grade students to hear about the children's feelings.
Foreign Minister Livni tours Sderot (Photo: Amir Cohen)
Livni told the envoys that about a third of the students have stopped attending school entirely.
The diplomats were then taken to an observation spot in town which overlooks Beit Hanoun in Gaza. Although Mayor Eli Moyal suggested to avoid the place due to alerts he had received of a an imminent rocket attack, Livni insisted to take the envoys to one of the hardest hit areas in town, where she explained about the alert system used in Sderot.
The foreign minister said that the more primitive the weapons used against Israel are, the more difficult it was to intercept them.
A mere 20 minutes after the delegates left the place, two Qassam rockets landed nearby. At that time, the envoys and Livni were already tucked safely at the local community center. The diplomats, who barely heard the "Color Red" alarm system go off, did not panic or appear to comprehend the commotion around them.
At the conclusion of the visit, Livni's associates expressed their disappointment over the fact that the tour was not "dramatic enough," but said they hope that the impression left will help sway the international public opinion in Israel's favor.
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