Negev blooms with visitors

Despite week's rocket attacks, Israelis leave fears behind to attend Gaza vicinity wildflower festival

Reuters | Published: 02.26.11, 20:26

Hundreds of Israelis flocked to the Negev Saturday despite the heavy fire unleashed by terror groups in Gaza on the region. Many visited the Gaza vicinity, where wildflowers are currently in bloom, in honor of the Red South Festival.

Dan Peleg, of Kibbutz Be'eri, was in charge of a wedding with 150 guests. "People are taking advantage of what exists and putting security concerns aside," he said. "They left their fears in Tel Aviv and came to enjoy themselves."

Dana Or, of Kibbutz Re'im in the Negev, says she is not afraid of living in the area. "Of course it's no fun when the rocket alert rings in the middle of the night, but we are not going to stop our lives because of it," she explained.

But Or added that fewer visitors were present in the south this week than last, after a week-long barrage of rockets hit the south.

Eddie Mirzayev, of Sde Avraham, is also free of fear. "There are no security problems here. Everything is peaceful and quiet," he said.

Wildflowers blossom in Negev (Photo: Roee Idan)

But not all residents of the south were unafraid. "After everything that went on in the south we were afraid people wouldn't come, but to our delight many supported us and came to see the wildflowers," said Lily Tamari.

"However, it's clear that this could change at any moment. This fear always exists, but as a whole we are continuing our routines despite the problems. That's life," she added.

The rocket that exploded Friday night in the Negev was fired by Islamic Jihad, the group held responsible for the week's escalation in violence. Hamas, for the time being, has not shown signs of reining the group in.

The attacks brought on a response from the IDF, which targeted smuggling tunnels and Hamas centers in bombings Saturday.