Settlers to hold mass rally Sunday

Peace Now slams school children’s participation in rally; settlers: This is educational, moral activity

Yair Altman|Published: 11.21.10 , 00:41

Thousands of Judea and Samaria residents, many of them children, are expected to gather outside the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem Sunday morning to protest against his intention to extend the settlement construction freeze.

The rally will mark the first major settler protest since the Gaza disengagement in 2005.

The demonstration is part of a one-day warning strike marked by local councils in Judea and Samaria. During the day, local officials will paralyze municipal services and educational institutions.

Settlement Freeze

Mofaz: Freeze a major strategic mistake

Boaz Fyler

Kadima's No. 2 warns that after new settlement construction moratorium, Israel will be required to accept 'another one and another one.' It's time for big moves, he says, adding that 'waiting for core issues will only lead to 20 years of conflict'

Mofaz: Freeze a major strategic mistake

Thousands of students, residents, municipal leaders and Knesset members are expected to take part in the protest.

“It’s an outrage that instead of asking their public to arrive voluntarily, they require school children to come,” said Peace Now Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer. “Instead of a show of force, this is a display of weaknesses.”

However, one of the protest organizers, Betzalel Smortrich, rejected the claims and said the participation of children requires parental approval.

“In our view this is an educational, moral activity and we encourage the involvement of children and youth in Zionist action – this is personal example for the best possible education,” he said.

A statement issued by protest organizers said that "Judea and Samaria settlers are declaring a warning strike against the disgraceful capitulation and repeated surrender by Israel's prime minister in the face of American and Palestinian pressure."

"The warning strike is the opening shot in an uncompromising struggle to be led by the settlers and their supporters against the prime minister should he, heaven forbid, take the path of expulsion and uprooting."

Benny Katzover, who heads the Samaria Settlers Committee, addressed future steps to be taken should Netanyahu proceed with another construction moratorium.

"We'll aim to bring together the 150,000 Jews who will be earmarked for expulsion, along with their many supporters nationwide, for a decisive, harsh struggle against Netanyahu, based on the assessment that the more he proceeds with the process, the lower the support for him would be among his party members – this may end up toppling him."