More than 5,000 Israelis have signed a declaration that they will refuse to serve as reserve soldiers if called up as part of the government's plan to dismantle 25 Jewish communities in Gaza and northern Samaria, force the Jews out of their homes and transfer the land to Arabs. The organization "Jews Do Not Expel Jews" spearheaded the campaign.
Thousands crowded into Gush Katif and Kiryat Arba Saturday to protest against the plan, and dozens of Sderot residents marched in protest against the government's failure to stop the mortar shelling and rocket attacks on the town. In Kiryat Arba, special recognition and honor were given to Yaakov Vavnoni, the son of Russian immigrants, who was thrown out of an IDF officers' training course after saying he would refuse orders to expel Jews from their homes. Defense officials have expressed concern about the growing campaign to refuse the expulsion orders.
Dozens of cyclists from the Israeli Motorcycle Club drove Friday to Gush Katif to demonstrate their opposition to the government plan. They were surprised to discover the development of the modern communities and their advanced industries, Gush Katif spokesman Eran Sternberg said.
Hugh demonstrations are planned near the Knesset this week as organizers hope to arouse Israelis to show their opposition to the planned expulsion. The protests come at the same time Arab terrorists continue to attack Jewish communities in Gaza, despite an army campaign to stop the assaults.
The government also is an increasingly difficult position on two fronts. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is under increased pressure in the face of the government's warmth towards the Palestinian Authority, which increasingly has become more militant. Sharon also is not sure he will have a new coalition as the United Torah Judaism party has not yet decided to join the proposed Likud-Likud government, which needs the UTJ for a majority.
Likud party loyalist Uzi Landau has said that even if UTJ joins the coalition, there will be not be a Knesset majority if Likud MKs opposed to Sharon's plan vote against it.
Finance Binyamin Netanyahu, who previously backed down on his threats to vote against the program, said the plan is a "tragedy in the making." He defended his not voting against the plan on it first reading in the Knesset because the government conceded to his demand that the security fence be completed before the plan is carried out. However, Sharon changed his timetable last week and called on the Knesset to give its final approval this month.
Thousands crowded into Gush Katif and Kiryat Arba Saturday to protest against the plan, and dozens of Sderot residents marched in protest against the government's failure to stop the mortar shelling and rocket attacks on the town. In Kiryat Arba, special recognition and honor were given to Yaakov Vavnoni, the son of Russian immigrants, who was thrown out of an IDF officers' training course after saying he would refuse orders to expel Jews from their homes. Defense officials have expressed concern about the growing campaign to refuse the expulsion orders.
Dozens of cyclists from the Israeli Motorcycle Club drove Friday to Gush Katif to demonstrate their opposition to the government plan. They were surprised to discover the development of the modern communities and their advanced industries, Gush Katif spokesman Eran Sternberg said.
Hugh demonstrations are planned near the Knesset this week as organizers hope to arouse Israelis to show their opposition to the planned expulsion. The protests come at the same time Arab terrorists continue to attack Jewish communities in Gaza, despite an army campaign to stop the assaults.
The government also is an increasingly difficult position on two fronts. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is under increased pressure in the face of the government's warmth towards the Palestinian Authority, which increasingly has become more militant. Sharon also is not sure he will have a new coalition as the United Torah Judaism party has not yet decided to join the proposed Likud-Likud government, which needs the UTJ for a majority.
Likud party loyalist Uzi Landau has said that even if UTJ joins the coalition, there will be not be a Knesset majority if Likud MKs opposed to Sharon's plan vote against it.
Finance Binyamin Netanyahu, who previously backed down on his threats to vote against the program, said the plan is a "tragedy in the making." He defended his not voting against the plan on it first reading in the Knesset because the government conceded to his demand that the security fence be completed before the plan is carried out. However, Sharon changed his timetable last week and called on the Knesset to give its final approval this month.