Organizers have prepared for a protest that could last for weeks as the Knesset debates the proposed government plan to dismantle 25 Jewish communities in Gaza and northern Samaria, evict the residents and transfer the land to Arabs. The government has proposed that the Palestinian Authority (PA) would take responsibility for the areas, including the Mediterranean Sea, the border with Egypt which has been used for arms smuggling and urban centers in the north which have been headquarters for terrorists.
The peaceful sit-in began amid a stormy national debate over a growing move among soldiers to sign a pledge they will not help security forces during the planned evacuation. Daniella Weiss, head of the Kedumim Council in Samaria, openly called on soldiers to refuse orders. Other leaders in Yehuda, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha) distanced themselves from Weiss' statement.
Organizers provided rain-proof tents and arranged hot food for the thousands who are expected to participate in the massive sit-in. Families and yeshiva students from all over the country are participating.
One woman, a resident of the Samarian community of Neve Tzuf, said she came with her small children because "this is educational." She explained, "The children are influenced by what they see and hear and are frustrated since they want to do something." Her husband, who works in Tel Aviv, said he brought his children so that "one day I will be able to look in their eyes and say we did what we could to protect the Jewish people."
In preparation for possible execution of the government plan, protest leaders have organized a team of lawyers who will be on-call 24 hours a day. The attorneys, including volunteers, will act to free protestors whom police arrest during the planned passive resistance to the planned dismantling of Jewish communities. The team will advise people of their rights and will photograph incidents.
Every one at the sit-in is to receive a printed card advising them on proper behavior if the government tries to carry out the eviction plan. Protestors should appear with a camera, cell phone, pencil and paper and the number of the legal counsel control center
The instructions also advise people to resist any attempt to be drawn into violence and to note who are witnesses if injured by police. They also are advised to reserve the right to not to answer if police inquiries are political and refuse to be photographed or fingerprinted. The instructions also emphasize that it is against the law for police to arrest children under 12.
"It is important to communicate to the police that arrests will not break us," the instructions add.
The peaceful sit-in began amid a stormy national debate over a growing move among soldiers to sign a pledge they will not help security forces during the planned evacuation. Daniella Weiss, head of the Kedumim Council in Samaria, openly called on soldiers to refuse orders. Other leaders in Yehuda, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha) distanced themselves from Weiss' statement.
Organizers provided rain-proof tents and arranged hot food for the thousands who are expected to participate in the massive sit-in. Families and yeshiva students from all over the country are participating.
One woman, a resident of the Samarian community of Neve Tzuf, said she came with her small children because "this is educational." She explained, "The children are influenced by what they see and hear and are frustrated since they want to do something." Her husband, who works in Tel Aviv, said he brought his children so that "one day I will be able to look in their eyes and say we did what we could to protect the Jewish people."
In preparation for possible execution of the government plan, protest leaders have organized a team of lawyers who will be on-call 24 hours a day. The attorneys, including volunteers, will act to free protestors whom police arrest during the planned passive resistance to the planned dismantling of Jewish communities. The team will advise people of their rights and will photograph incidents.
Every one at the sit-in is to receive a printed card advising them on proper behavior if the government tries to carry out the eviction plan. Protestors should appear with a camera, cell phone, pencil and paper and the number of the legal counsel control center
The instructions also advise people to resist any attempt to be drawn into violence and to note who are witnesses if injured by police. They also are advised to reserve the right to not to answer if police inquiries are political and refuse to be photographed or fingerprinted. The instructions also emphasize that it is against the law for police to arrest children under 12.
"It is important to communicate to the police that arrests will not break us," the instructions add.