Forum members
Photo: Amir Cohen
Peretz visits Qassam falling site
Photo: Tsafrir Aviov
Protest: Let Sderot residents live
New forum initiates hunger strike opposite Defense Minister Amir Peretz's house, placing 'town for sale' signs on balconies, demand to apply evacuation-compensation law on Sderot residents who want to leave Qassam range
The ongoing rocket fire and life in constant fear have caused many of the residents of Sderot, who have despaired of the Israel Defense Forces' operations and "politicians' disregard," to launch a civil struggle to improve their quality of life.
Residents of the southern town on Thursday announced their decision to establish a new forum called "Let Sderot residents live," which will struggle to stop the firing of Qassams at the town. The residents also demanded that the State apply the evacuation-compensation law on Sderot residents wishing to leave the town.
Hours After Assassination
Shmulik Hadad
Quick response: Several hours after IDF's assassination of Popular Resistance Committees chief, three rockets fired at Sderot; one rocket lands in apartment building yard, causing damage. 'Suicide bombers will detonate themselves everywhere,' organization members warn
The campaign will be held next to Defense Minister Amir Peretz's house in Sderot.
Alon Davidi, one of the forum members, who saw a Qassam rocket landing not far from his children last week, declared that he and his friends plan to launch a hunger strike opposite Peretz's house.
"We want to arouse public opinion," he explained, "and we feel that people will pay attention to us only if we take drastic steps."
'We have become hostages'
In the next few days, the new forum will launch a campaign to enlist volunteers from all over the town. Forum member Rina Mor Yosef said that signs reading "town for sale" have already been prepared, and that the forum plans on hanging them next to dozens of "for sale" signs placed on many apartments in Sderot.
"We will demand to reapply the evacuation-compensation on Sderot residents, because if there is no solution for the Qassams, at least people who will want to leave the city will receive an appropriate compensation for their apartments," she said.
"It's difficult for people outside Sderot to understand the distress of the residents here, the children's fear, the families being ruined because of the Qassam fire," she added.
In addition, the forum members plan to distribute leaflets on Friday, reading: "Dear Sderot residents, the situation in the city is crying for help. We have become hostages, abandoned by all politicians. We have decided to take our fate in our hands and launch an existential struggle."
"We demand that the Israeli government immediately realize the voluntary 'evacuation compensation' law. Sderot residents demand that the Israeli government provide them with a place to live outside the Qassam range. Only by joining forces we will return dignity and safety to Sderot residents," the letter concluded.
