The western Negev city of Sderot, besieged over the past several months by Kassam rockets, has installed a warning and announcement system developed by the Rafael Armaments Development Authority. The system identifies a launching of Kassam rockets, including time and place, and passes the information on to Sderot within two seconds. The automatic announcement that is then sounded gives the residents 20 seconds in which to find shelter before the rocket explodes.
Gush Katif residents, who have long wondered if the lack of significant military response to the rockets in their area is the government's way of "weakening" them as the threat of withdrawal becomes more real, now wonder why a similar system is not installed in their areas as well. "Is there a difference between our blood and theirs?" asks Katif resident Moti Sender. "Is it OK for Gush Katif people to be hurt? Do they not need protection? Is there a guiding hand that is not interested in providing equal protection to those who live in Sderot and those who live in Gush Katif?"
Sender proposes an alternative defensive system: "It already exists in a very efficient manner, and is ready to act any place and any time, even several hours before the rockets are launched. It is a trustworthy system that is just waiting for the pin that is holding it back to be released. It is deployed throughout the area, knows very well where the terror cells are preparing the bombs. If it is used in full force, the new system installed in Sderot won't even be needed."
Gush Katif residents, who have long wondered if the lack of significant military response to the rockets in their area is the government's way of "weakening" them as the threat of withdrawal becomes more real, now wonder why a similar system is not installed in their areas as well. "Is there a difference between our blood and theirs?" asks Katif resident Moti Sender. "Is it OK for Gush Katif people to be hurt? Do they not need protection? Is there a guiding hand that is not interested in providing equal protection to those who live in Sderot and those who live in Gush Katif?"
Sender proposes an alternative defensive system: "It already exists in a very efficient manner, and is ready to act any place and any time, even several hours before the rockets are launched. It is a trustworthy system that is just waiting for the pin that is holding it back to be released. It is deployed throughout the area, knows very well where the terror cells are preparing the bombs. If it is used in full force, the new system installed in Sderot won't even be needed."