Yesha's last stand

Yesha Council officials said Friday they would hold a demonstration outside Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s official residence in Jerusalem Sunday night, after the completion of the Tisha B’Av fast. Following Thursday’s massive anti-pullout demonstration in Tel Aviv, Yesha officials met Friday to assess their position, and renewed their demand for Sharon to call early elections or a national referendum before carrying out the disengagement program. In addition to the Sunday night protest, the Council has also called on supporters to flood the Kissufim Route in Gaza on Monday in order to thwart the army’s ability to implement the pullout, due to begin the same day. Stunned Council officials say they were “stunned’ by Thursday night’s rally, that they say attracted more than 250,000 people (official estimates are 150,000). They said the protest forced them to reassess the situation, and decided to redouble efforts to derail the pullout in the waning hours before the process is due to begin. 'We'll force the cops to come to Jerusalem' Against this background, protesters will gather outside the prime minister’s office following the Tisha B’Av fast Sunday. “We’ll force the cops to abandon their positions in the south and come to Jerusalem. That way, they won’t be able to carry out the expulsion,” said one senior Council member. Some 2,000 police officers and security forces secured Thursday night’s rally - as well as the memorial statue marking the spot where Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was murdered in November, 1995. On Sunday, the police are expected to go on highest alert around the country, and Yesha Council officials say the group has appointed an alternative leadership to lead the organization should the current leadership be arrested in Gush Katif.

Yesha's last stand

Yesha Council to hold demonstration in Jerusalem after Tisha B’Av fast, will call on Sharon to call new elections before disengagement