In honor of Israel's 56th Independence Day, which begins tomorrow night, Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin will dedicate the torch he has been asked to light to the Knesset and to the "pioneers who walk in front of the camp, those who settle the Land of our Forefathers and redeem its land, from Hanita [in the north] to Kfar Darom [in Gaza], and from Negba to Kiryat Arba-Hevron."
Independence Day ceremonies around the country are traditionally marked by torch-lighting ceremonies, in which representatives of various sectors light and dedicate a torch "for the honor of the State of Israel." Extreme left-wing MK Zahava Gal'on (Meretz) was quick to condemn Rivlin for choosing to honor the settlers. "This is a cheapening and a politicization of the Knesset Speakership," she said.
Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz met with a delegation of North American Jews in Sderot today. He spoke in favor of the disengagement plan, while Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal said, "The Defense Minister did not convince me, and here in Sderot, we will continue to work for its rejection in the referendum."
Deputy Trade Minister Michael Ratzon (Likud), a leader in the campaign against the expulsion campaign, told Arutz-7 today, "We have to continue to work, work, and work to stop this dangerous plan and remove it from our daily agenda... This is the first election campaign that I find myself not having to encourage, but am rather being encouraged. The true Likudniks are voting against the plan. It's inconceivable that the Likud would adopt a left-wing platform. I believe with perfect faith that the Likud public is much stronger than its leaders."
Former Likud MKs have signed a letter calling on Prime Minister Sharon not to implement his disengagement/expulsion plan. Among the signatories are former Knesset Speakers Dan Tichon and Dov Shilansky, as well as Geulah Cohen, Yossi Achimeir and Moshe Arens.
Independence Day ceremonies around the country are traditionally marked by torch-lighting ceremonies, in which representatives of various sectors light and dedicate a torch "for the honor of the State of Israel." Extreme left-wing MK Zahava Gal'on (Meretz) was quick to condemn Rivlin for choosing to honor the settlers. "This is a cheapening and a politicization of the Knesset Speakership," she said.
Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz met with a delegation of North American Jews in Sderot today. He spoke in favor of the disengagement plan, while Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal said, "The Defense Minister did not convince me, and here in Sderot, we will continue to work for its rejection in the referendum."
Deputy Trade Minister Michael Ratzon (Likud), a leader in the campaign against the expulsion campaign, told Arutz-7 today, "We have to continue to work, work, and work to stop this dangerous plan and remove it from our daily agenda... This is the first election campaign that I find myself not having to encourage, but am rather being encouraged. The true Likudniks are voting against the plan. It's inconceivable that the Likud would adopt a left-wing platform. I believe with perfect faith that the Likud public is much stronger than its leaders."
Former Likud MKs have signed a letter calling on Prime Minister Sharon not to implement his disengagement/expulsion plan. Among the signatories are former Knesset Speakers Dan Tichon and Dov Shilansky, as well as Geulah Cohen, Yossi Achimeir and Moshe Arens.