The Gush Katif march to Jerusalem continued for its third day today, as the marchers from Israel's southern Mediterranean coastal communities head for Jerusalem. 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.
Following a solidarity ceremony with Gush Katif in Sderot on Sunday night, a similar event was held in Ashkelon last night, with speakers calling on the Prime Minister not to uproot Jewish towns in the Land of Israel. Michah Hadad, recreational director of the Gush Katif girls' high school, spoke with Arutz-7 late this morning: "We are now entering the yeshiva campus of Ohr Etzion, north of Ashkelon, where they have prepared a wonderful reception for us. We have close to 200 people marching with us, but the police are allowing only 50-70 at a time, so we're switching off as needed."
Arutz-7's Haggai Segal asked if the general media coverage is as great as it was for previous marches, such as that of Vicky Knafu last year. "On Sunday, our first day, there was a fair amount," Hadad said, "but in general, there is not so much. The public, on the other hand, is greeting us nicely all along the way. The polls mean nothing; what we see all along the way is a very positive, supportive and warm attitude. I've been here since the beginning, and I haven't encountered even one incident of rudeness. Almost everyone is supportive. We are trying to work on three paths: to arouse Heavenly mercy, as well as the people of Gush Katif, and the residents of the entire south, and thank G-d, I feel that we are marching along the right path."
In the meantime, Palestinian terrorists - apparently encouraged by the talk of Israeli withdrawal as a response to their actions - launched several shells towards Israeli civilian and military targets in southern Gaza over the course of the night. No one was hurt and no damage was registered.
The marchers are planning to reach Jerusalem tomorrow afternoon, and will be joined by people from all over the country. "All schools in Gush Katif will close down at 1 PM tomorrow," Hadad said, "and we'll all be outside the Prime Minister's house for a large protest. You're also invited!"
Following a solidarity ceremony with Gush Katif in Sderot on Sunday night, a similar event was held in Ashkelon last night, with speakers calling on the Prime Minister not to uproot Jewish towns in the Land of Israel. Michah Hadad, recreational director of the Gush Katif girls' high school, spoke with Arutz-7 late this morning: "We are now entering the yeshiva campus of Ohr Etzion, north of Ashkelon, where they have prepared a wonderful reception for us. We have close to 200 people marching with us, but the police are allowing only 50-70 at a time, so we're switching off as needed."
Arutz-7's Haggai Segal asked if the general media coverage is as great as it was for previous marches, such as that of Vicky Knafu last year. "On Sunday, our first day, there was a fair amount," Hadad said, "but in general, there is not so much. The public, on the other hand, is greeting us nicely all along the way. The polls mean nothing; what we see all along the way is a very positive, supportive and warm attitude. I've been here since the beginning, and I haven't encountered even one incident of rudeness. Almost everyone is supportive. We are trying to work on three paths: to arouse Heavenly mercy, as well as the people of Gush Katif, and the residents of the entire south, and thank G-d, I feel that we are marching along the right path."
In the meantime, Palestinian terrorists - apparently encouraged by the talk of Israeli withdrawal as a response to their actions - launched several shells towards Israeli civilian and military targets in southern Gaza over the course of the night. No one was hurt and no damage was registered.
The marchers are planning to reach Jerusalem tomorrow afternoon, and will be joined by people from all over the country. "All schools in Gush Katif will close down at 1 PM tomorrow," Hadad said, "and we'll all be outside the Prime Minister's house for a large protest. You're also invited!"