A representative of \"Cities of Israel\" met last week with President Moshe Katzav, stressing that the residents of Israel\'s big cities do not want to wake up and find a new terrorist state on their doorsteps, nor do they wish to drive to work in armored vehicles and install bulletproof glass in their living room windows. COI is a grassroots movement working within pre-1967 Israel to neutralize the damages and dangers of the Oslo Agreement. The Haifa chapter of the organization was particularly active over the past weeks; their activities included a tour of the northern Shomron, a visit to Tapuach, street corner vigils, and selling 77,000 shekels\' worth of organic produce grown in Yesha.
Two nights ago, an independent group of 18 Beit Shemesh residents made a trip to Jerusalem with the express purpose of showing solidarity with, and support for, beleaguered storeowners in the downtown area. Jerusalem\'s city center, which has suffered several terrorist attacks in the past weeks, is now feeling the after-effects in terms of lack of tourists and local customers. The group from Beit Shemesh split up and visited various eateries and shopped in the area, making sure to tell each cashier or storeowner the purpose of their visit. Participants reported that their gesture was \"appreciated immensely, and each of us felt that we had a small part in reclaiming our capital for the Jewish people.\" They said they hoped other cities of Israel would take similar initiatives to organize similar groups for the same purpose.
Two nights ago, an independent group of 18 Beit Shemesh residents made a trip to Jerusalem with the express purpose of showing solidarity with, and support for, beleaguered storeowners in the downtown area. Jerusalem\'s city center, which has suffered several terrorist attacks in the past weeks, is now feeling the after-effects in terms of lack of tourists and local customers. The group from Beit Shemesh split up and visited various eateries and shopped in the area, making sure to tell each cashier or storeowner the purpose of their visit. Participants reported that their gesture was \"appreciated immensely, and each of us felt that we had a small part in reclaiming our capital for the Jewish people.\" They said they hoped other cities of Israel would take similar initiatives to organize similar groups for the same purpose.