Grassroots activity against the construction freeze in Judea and Samaria is picking up steam. A giant protest will be held Wednesday evening – 6:30 PM, Paris Square (near the Kings Hotel) – under the theme, “Breaking the Freeze!” Buses will be available to transport participants from Haifa, Tel Aviv, Netanya, Rehovot, Kedumim, Ariel and elsewhere.
The protest is being organized by the Yesha Council of Jewish Communities in Judea and Samaria – arousing the suspicions of some who were disappointed by its activities during the Disengagement protests. In response, the Mattot Arim (Cities of Israel) grassroots organization writes, “Staying home is certainly not an option. You can come and yell, ‘We want a more determined struggle!’ or ‘Wallerstein, Go Home!’ – but come. And bring signs and friends as well.”
In addition, anti-freeze vigils are held at various junctions around the country at 5 p.m. each afternoon. Youths are asked to organize such events at an intersection near them.
On Monday afternoon, several dozen youths attempted to block the main entrance to Jerusalem in protest of the freeze. A police force managed to clear the way, and detained eight youths.
A modest petition campaign presently underway links the construction freeze to a “reserve duty” freeze. A petition is circulating, stating, “In light of the obtuseness of the government and courts regarding our equal rights and rights to the Land, we are forced to take this step of ‘freezing’ our willingness to do reserve duty in the IDF for the period of the construction freeze. After we once again become equal-rights citizens in this country, we will once again see ourselves as having equal obligations.”
Several meetings have been held in various towns throughout Judea and Samaria, including Yakir, Efrat and Kedumim, to plan protest measures.
“Let us come en-masse on Wednesday evening to cry for the Land of Israel and break the White Paper policy,” called Council head Danny Dayan at one of the meetings. “We will not adhere to the freeze, and we are willing to pay the price.”
MK Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) has called a meeting in his office for Wednesday afternoon of various “orange” (Land of Israel loyalist) organizations, such as Homesh First, Honenu, Komemiyut, and Mattot Arim, to discuss and coordinate practical strategies. Orange was the color adopted for the anti-Disengagement campaign in 2004-5.