New protest group prepared
'National Home' draws its inspiration from 'This is our land,' an organization that operated during Rabin's rule in protest of Oslo Accords
TEL AVIV - Last week the two leaders of the "National Home" organization, Shai Malka and Ariel Vangrover, participated in an anti-pullout convention in Jerusalem in which activists threatened to shut down the entire Tel Aviv area in protest of the planned pullout from Gaza and parts of the West Bank.
On Monday the previously obscure organization reiterated its plan to block major traffic arteries in the Tel Aviv area.
The fact that police raided the organization's Jerusalem office and arrested the two leaders did not prevent Monday's roadblocks and ensuing traffic jams.
On Tuesday, judges directed police to release the two, but they will remain in custody after police filed a petition against the decision.
With a relatively low budget, the group managed to promote the demonstrations, and some 3,000 people heeded the call and clogged up the country.
'Police helped us'
Group member Orit Schpitz told Ynet, "The operation was organized in 24 hours. Our success stemmed not only from our strength and unity, but also from the cooperation with police officers, who not only refrained from reacting violently, but even helped a bit."
"We have noticed a split within police ranks; police officers relate to us, we are their brothers," she said. "When I say the police officers helped us, I mean some of them identified with our struggle and in some cases allowed the road-blockings."
Schpitz said the group would continue with its anti-disengagement activity.
"We will continue to draw the nation closer to us and act with resolve," she said. "In the end we will defeat this evil concept."
A message on the organization's Internet site following Monday's events read: "Today, Israel understands the transfer influences each and every one of us. We call on all those who hold the land and nation of Israel close to their hearts to join the struggle."
The message was also directed at police forces summoned to contain the demonstrators.
"We are not fighting against you, but against those who sent you," the message read. "Unfortunately, there are unlawful police officers who engaged in violence - a list of these officers will be published soon…civil disobedience has not stopped, it is only growing stronger."
"National Home" draws its inspiration from, "This is our land," an organization that also blocked major traffic arteries, during the time when Yitzhak Rabin was prime minister, in protest of the Oslo Accords.
The group, which aims to delegitimize the government's decisions, comprises 41 different bodies, and some of its members include public figures such as Knesset Member Arieh Eldad (National Union), former Knesset Member Elyakim Haetzni, as well as retired IDF officers.
Most of the group's activists are West Bank settlers.
'We are already winning'
In last week's anti-pullout convention in Jerusalem, "National Home" activists did not settle for speeches only, as each audience member received a booklet titled: “How to stop the uprooting.” The pamphlet instructs activists to wage war on three fronts: Gush Katif, civil disobedience, and refusal to follow IDF orders.
“With the help of God, we can stop the madness,” the booklet read.
The pamphlet stressed the protest constitutes a form of non-violent civil disobedience.
The booklet refers to the day the West Bank and Gush Katif would be shut down for traffic as “Day of Order.” From that moment on, it read, people should simply walk towards Gush Katif to disrupt life in the country.
In order for that to happen, the "National Home" pamphlet said each citizen must carry supplies for four days, including,: water, bread and spreads, video and still cameras, and cell phones.
Moreover, the booklet offered a list of necessary equipment in case of arrest, including tallit and tefillin, two sheets, towels, whites, clean clothes, shower sandals, book, shower supplies, radio and a phone card.
