(IsraelNN.com)

Over 1,000 residents of Sderot are on their way to the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem to demand relief to their rocket-plagued way of life.  Volunteers are trying to make up for the government's lack of action.

Ten busloads and dozens of private cars carrying residents of Sderot are on their way to Jerusalem for an early Wednesday afternoon protest demonstration.  "We are bringing out children to Prime Minister Olmert," said organizer Alon Davidi, "and asking him to look them in the eyes and say, 'We're doing everything we can to put an end to the rocket attacks on your homes.'  At present, he can certainly not say that."

Six Years of Suffering
Sderot was first shelled with mortars by Arab terrorists from Gaza in April 2001, and the first Kassam rocket hit the city less than a year later.  Residents have thus been suffering for over six years.  One woman recently told Arutz-7 that her daughter was one of the first victims, and recently suffered a recurrence of symptoms in another attack just ten days ago.  "Six years ago," the mother said, "my daughter, who was then 4, was one of the very first victims of the attacks on Sderot when a rocket landed near her.  She was not physically hurt, but immediately afterwards, she contracted a severe case of psoriasis.  After many treatments, mainly in the Dead Sea, we finally seemed to get rid of it - until two days ago.  Right after our house was rocketed, the symptoms of her psoriasis returned."

Many other families have been undergoing psychological treatment for years because of the incessant rocket dangers.

Speaking From the Bus
Another passenger on his way to the Jerusalem protest, Yishai Friedman, told Arutz-7, "We're going to tell him the obvious fact that these Kassam rockets must stop.  It's a totally illogical, absurd and untenable situation to have rockets falling on a residential town while the government does nothing to stop it."

Asked if the residents are coming to deliver a uniform message, Friedman said, "Some people are concentrating on the reinforcement aspect, demanding that all schools be protected and the like.  But it's clear that that's not a solution; how will that help people who are walking in the street?  The Kassams will only stop once the army takes military action."

Another resident was less calm: "We count for nothing!," she said. "The government doesn't care about us!  We get lots of donations and gifts, but that's not what we need - we need the government to order the army to take action to put an end to these rockets!"

Many concerned citizens throughout Israel and even abroad continue their efforts to help wherever they can - and these are much appreciated.  Business has dropped considerably in the city, with many people cutting down on shopping trips and other outdoor activities. 

For instance, an organization called Connections Israel is arranging a series of solidarity and educational projects aimed at "strengthening the connection between Diaspora communities and schools and Sderot's besieged citizens."  This coming Monday, Connections Israel will deliver a Rosh HaShanah holiday gift basket to every family in Sderot, together with a letter of support from a Jewish family overseas.  The goal is to facilitate support from Sderot's "extended Jewish family overseas," as well as to educate Jews outside Israel about the reality of the situation in Israel.

Connections Israel is also developing a multi-media exhibition that will reflect the solidarity of Jews around the world with the people of Sderot. The Jewish Solidarity Exhibition will begin this December in Sderot itself, moving afterwards to other cities in Israel and possibly around the world. The exhibition, which counts on the participation of Jewish schools in different countries, will feature original works of Jewish art, cards and letters of support, photographs of Jewish children around the world, and more.

In addition, Chabad volunteers have begun distributing hundreds of food portions, including frozen meat, vegetables and more, to the people of Sderot.