Gov't funds vacations for thousands of west Negev residents
3,200 Sderot and Gaza vicinity residents funded by Defense Ministry to take refuge from Qassams at Friends of the IDF guesthouses; Gaydamak puts up thousands more. Sderot mayor fumes: If you want to fortify this city, the way is by filling it – not emptying it
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed satisfaction with the program at Sunday's Cabinet meeting. He was specifically pleased that so many residents chose the guest houses over their other option – a tent city organized by Russian-Israeli businessman Arcadi Gaydamak.
Some 750 western Negev residents have taken up residence in the tent city in Tel Aviv, but Gaydamak's office said he has financed hotel stays for an additional 2,750 people.
A few hundred people have also gone to stay with family and friends far away from the threat of Qassams.
Defense Ministry director-general Pinhas Bukharis said, "About 3,200 people were taken to refresh at Friends of the IDF facilities and guest houses, in five rounds since May 17. The method was based on the lessons learned from the Second Lebanon War.
"The list was made by the Sderot municipality and welfare workers. Precedence was give to the handicapped, families with children and families under duress. The vacations last about 3 days per family," he added.
Budget
The first round on May 17 evacuated 881 residents, and the second round on May 20 evacuated 506. Two days later the state hosted 1,479 people at Friends of the IDF guest houses, and 341 more residents were hosted starting May 25.The program cost the government roughly NIS 4 million.
Twenty-four schools and 151 kindergartens in Sderot and Gaza-perimeter communities have been fortified, it was noted during the Cabinet meeting. The next phase, slated for completion by July 10, will fortify 15 more classrooms and build 22 fortified kindergartens.
The completed phase cost NIS 184 million, and the next phase will cost NIS 170 million.
'Don't evacuate - protect'
Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal criticized the evacuation of the city. "The fall of Sderot will be the fall of the whole Zionist enterprise," he said. "If you want to fortify this city, the way is by filling it – not emptying it."
Many Sderot residents agree with the mayor. Mother of six Ayelet Azulai said she and her husband decided not to leave the city, even for a short-term vacation. Instead, she's was furious with the evacuation of residents, especially with the Defense Ministry's program.
"This is the Defense Ministry's answer? To evacuate us? Don't we deserve protection? What, they want to evacuate Sderot? What next, Ashkelon and then Tel Aviv and then we'll move into sea?" she demanded.
Yael Branovsky contributed to the report
