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Regional council heads

Two years later, Gaza border community leaders express strength, hope

After a meeting to approve various tourism initiatives in the western Negev and Gaza vicinity, the regional council heads express strength and the will to continue to live life while hoping that the precarious quiet caused by Operation Protective Edge continues.

Two years after Operation Protective Edge, the various Gaza border community regional authority heads met on Wednesday to discuss and approve plans to promote tourism to the western Negev.

 

 

While Hamas seems to be planning the next round of fighting against the IDF, the towns around Gaza are planning for the tourists and hikers. While the memories of the last war are still fresh in their minds, the authority heads are sure of one thing – nothing will break them.

 

The meeting took place at the initiative of Amit Lavkov, Chairman of the Shkemah Habasor Association for the advancement of tourism in the western Negev. The head of the Merhavim Regional Council , Shai Hajaj, spoke about the meeting.

 

Gaza vicinity council leaders (Photo: Chaim Hornshtein)
Gaza vicinity council leaders (Photo: Chaim Hornshtein)

"During Operation Protective Edge, we continued on our normal routines despite the missiles – that’s our strength. Its clear to all of us that we have a bitter enemy who wants to cause us harm on the other side of the fence. However, we know that the IDF knows what it needs to do to mitigate the threat of rockets and tunnels. I'm sorry to say it, but we all know that the next round of fighting will come some time. The big question is when."

 

Gadi Yarkoni, head of the Eshkol Regional council, said "Operation Protective Edge was a very difficult time for us, but afterwards, we saw a wonderful bloom in the Gaza border area. But the bottom line is that this operation has given us two years of quiet, and we see the results of this quiet every day. Families are coming to live in the area, the regional economy is growing, and there has been growth in the population. The most important thing in our opinion is that the country will continue to assist us with this forward momentum."

 

Factory on Gaza vicinity Kibbutz Nir Am which was hit by rocket fire in Operation Protective Edge (Photo: Shaul Golan)
Factory on Gaza vicinity Kibbutz Nir Am which was hit by rocket fire in Operation Protective Edge (Photo: Shaul Golan)

 

Yarkoni became a symbol of the operation when he got both of his legs blown off in a Hamas mortar attack on the last day of Protective Edge.

 

"Operation Protective Edge proved to us that we are able to stand strong in the face of difficult challenges," said the head of the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council Alon Shuster. "The operation also proved to us that we can't do it without the help of the nation. The nation is the backbone of our defense."


Hamas terror tunnel (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)
Hamas terror tunnel (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

 

Regarding aid to Gaza, he says "If we continue the policy of stopping aid to Gaza like what's happening now, we may see a disintegration of the situation which can lead to an escalation in violence. If the country changes this policy, we'll continue to enjoy the quiet and prosperity which we're experiencing today."

 

Finally, Yair Parjon, head of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, believes that the next round of violence will come. The question is when.

 

"It looks like we won't have peace in the next 600 years. Therefore, any period of calm is welcome. We've had two years of quiet, and as isit seems like this period of quiet will continue. On the other hand, we can't rest on our laurels. We believe that anything is possible – both we in the leadership and the residents of the area know that the day will come when the fighting breaks out again."

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.14.16, 09:34
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