The united action committees which brought thousands of Israelis to the site of the former northern Samaria community of Homesh in the week before Passover have announced they will march there again on Independence Day.



The march will step off from the nearby community of Shavei Shomron. At least ten thousand people are expected to participate in the trek to the hilltop ruins, a significantly higher number than the previous event.



Homesh was destroyed during then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s 2005 Disengagement from northern Samaria and Gush Katif.



Organizers from the “Homesh First” group said the event will symbolize a return to the “Zionist values of building and ideology.”  (Ed. note: Information about locations, departure times and fees for organized transportation may be obtained at 052-630-2222. In the north, the number is 052-462-7118.)



Thousands will march to Homesh, in a happy and beautiful manner.



Extreme left-wing Knesset Member and Meretz party Chairman Yossi Beilin slammed the decision, railing that it meant “there has been no disengagement,” and that “It is as if the withdrawal was only make-believe.”



Beilin accused the government of being afraid to oppose the activists. “This is a moment of great shame for the weak government, which simply cannot say ‘no’… a situation they must not stand for,” declared Beilin.



Although no authorization was requested, the organizers informed security forces of the planned route and itinerary.

In response, the IDF Central Command told Army Radio Thursday that it approved the march and even offered to provide protection for the marchers if they cooperate with security personnel.



The IDF spokesman also said the army agreed to the march on the instructions of the government. According to the radio report, however, the Defense Ministry denied any knowledge of the event.



Homesh is technically classified as a closed military zone, but organizer Yossi Dagan said the IDF is hoping to avoid any violent confrontations. “Thousands will march to Homesh, in a happy and beautiful manner,” he promised.