Last-minute preparations for the Human Chain stretching from Gaza to the Old City of Jerusalem are feverishly underway, with only two days left until the big event. Some 100,000 people are expected to stand in pre-assigned spots along the 90-kilometer route, holding hands in solidarity with Gush Katif and in opposition to the plan to uproot a portion of the national homeland and close to 8,500 people from their homes.
In general, residents of the south have been assigned to stand along the way from Gaza to the Re'em Junction near Kibbutz Chafetz Chaim; those of central Israel will man the route as it turns east towards Latrun; and those of the north and Jerusalem will link hands the rest of the way. Each city has been assigned a specific sector. Residents of Be'er Sheva will stand near Kiryat Malachi; those of Ashdod and Ashkelon will stand between Ashkelon and Masuot Yitzchak; residents of Hadera, Afula and environs will take up positions between Shaar HaGai and Mevaseret; and those of Jerusalem and Maaleh Adumim will stand in Jerusalem.
The unofficial website of Gush Katif has, for the first time, opened an English site. Information on the Human Chain, for instance, can be read by clicking here.
Israel supporters in Atlanta have announced that they will hold a solidarity chain on Sunday, at 1 PM outside the Israel Consulate. AFSI is arranging a similar chain on Sunday at 6 PM, outside the Israel Consulate in New York City, at 2nd Ave. and 42nd St. Similar events will be held in Australia, Canada, and London.
Children in summer camps and activists in bungalow colonies will also take part. Chabad camps in New York, Australia, Russia and elsewhere have arranged for children's chains in which at one end will be a child holding a sign saying Gush Katif, at the other end will be a child holding a sign saying Kotel [Western Wall], and in between will be signs of the other cities along the route.
In general, residents of the south have been assigned to stand along the way from Gaza to the Re'em Junction near Kibbutz Chafetz Chaim; those of central Israel will man the route as it turns east towards Latrun; and those of the north and Jerusalem will link hands the rest of the way. Each city has been assigned a specific sector. Residents of Be'er Sheva will stand near Kiryat Malachi; those of Ashdod and Ashkelon will stand between Ashkelon and Masuot Yitzchak; residents of Hadera, Afula and environs will take up positions between Shaar HaGai and Mevaseret; and those of Jerusalem and Maaleh Adumim will stand in Jerusalem.
The unofficial website of Gush Katif has, for the first time, opened an English site. Information on the Human Chain, for instance, can be read by clicking here.
Israel supporters in Atlanta have announced that they will hold a solidarity chain on Sunday, at 1 PM outside the Israel Consulate. AFSI is arranging a similar chain on Sunday at 6 PM, outside the Israel Consulate in New York City, at 2nd Ave. and 42nd St. Similar events will be held in Australia, Canada, and London.
Children in summer camps and activists in bungalow colonies will also take part. Chabad camps in New York, Australia, Russia and elsewhere have arranged for children's chains in which at one end will be a child holding a sign saying Gush Katif, at the other end will be a child holding a sign saying Kotel [Western Wall], and in between will be signs of the other cities along the route.