The residents of Gush Katif - Jewish Gaza - are marching to Jerusalem! "We will tell the Prime Minister that we only know how to march forwards!" say the organizers. The march comes in response to Prime Minister Sharon's stated intentions to unilaterally abandon Jewish Gaza; withdraw the IDF from the bases, towns, and coast; and expel the nearly 8,000 Jewish residents from their homes.
The march will begin on Sunday at 7AM with Shacharit prayers at the Kisufim Junction - the entry point into Gush Katif and southern Gaza. At 2 PM, the residents will stop at Kibbutz Saad, some 20 kilometers to the north. They will spend the night in Sderot, some ten kilometers further north, where the locals will greet the visitors with signs, youths manning stands, classes, and more. A central ceremony will be held at the Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot at 7:15 PM.
The march's promotional literature explains:
"Residents of the Gush: Over the past years, we have shown determination and strength. We have merited seeing the G-d of Israel's miraculous providence. Ever since, and today especially, the eyes of the People of Israel are turned towards us. WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITY, AND WE HAVE A MISSION - to sound the clear and bright call: We Are Marching Forward!
"This is not the time to sit with hands folded; now is the time to act! Whoever has faith in his heart, determination in his eyes, and vision and hope in his soul - will join up to act!
"The first action that has been decided is a march to Jerusalem with the residents of the south. The purpose is to express the strong spirit of the residents of the Gush and the public support of those who live elsewhere in Israel.
"Its success is dependent upon us - those who understand the mission that the Rock of Israel, Who gives us wellsprings of strength, has placed on our shoulders. Everyone will do his part - and together we will continue to march forward!"
The marchers are expected to reach Yad Mordechai on Monday afternoon, Ashkelon Monday evening, Yeshivat Or Etzion and Kiryat Malachi on Tuesday, and Jerusalem on Wednesday afternoon. A climactic ceremony outside the Prime Minister's home is scheduled for 6:30 PM on Wednesday.
The march will begin on Sunday at 7AM with Shacharit prayers at the Kisufim Junction - the entry point into Gush Katif and southern Gaza. At 2 PM, the residents will stop at Kibbutz Saad, some 20 kilometers to the north. They will spend the night in Sderot, some ten kilometers further north, where the locals will greet the visitors with signs, youths manning stands, classes, and more. A central ceremony will be held at the Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot at 7:15 PM.
The march's promotional literature explains:
"Residents of the Gush: Over the past years, we have shown determination and strength. We have merited seeing the G-d of Israel's miraculous providence. Ever since, and today especially, the eyes of the People of Israel are turned towards us. WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITY, AND WE HAVE A MISSION - to sound the clear and bright call: We Are Marching Forward!
"This is not the time to sit with hands folded; now is the time to act! Whoever has faith in his heart, determination in his eyes, and vision and hope in his soul - will join up to act!
"The first action that has been decided is a march to Jerusalem with the residents of the south. The purpose is to express the strong spirit of the residents of the Gush and the public support of those who live elsewhere in Israel.
"Its success is dependent upon us - those who understand the mission that the Rock of Israel, Who gives us wellsprings of strength, has placed on our shoulders. Everyone will do his part - and together we will continue to march forward!"
The marchers are expected to reach Yad Mordechai on Monday afternoon, Ashkelon Monday evening, Yeshivat Or Etzion and Kiryat Malachi on Tuesday, and Jerusalem on Wednesday afternoon. A climactic ceremony outside the Prime Minister's home is scheduled for 6:30 PM on Wednesday.