Security provisions were very tight, with protests - and even reports of the meeting's precise time and location - banned.
Arutz-7's Moshe Priel reports that Avner Shimoni, head of the Gaza Coast Regional Council – separated from Sderot by only a few kilometers, as the crow flies – attended the meeting, and asked for equal consideration for the Jewish residents of Gaza. "The Jewish residents of Gaza would like to be treated just like those who live adjacent to Gaza [on the pre-'67 side]," he said, referring to tax benefits granted to the residents of Sderot and environs. "We're also people, and there should be no discrimination between us."
Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz expressed his support for Shimoni's idea. "The residents of Gush Katif face a hard year ahead as it is," he said, "and there's no reason to add to their problems."
Shimoni asked Prime Minister Sharon to call off his disengagement plan and to take it instead to a national referendum.
The ministers discussed the fragile quiet on the part of the terrorists. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon said that the situation can better be described as a "period of calm," as opposed to a "temporary ceasefire." Defense Minister Mofaz said that if the situation allows, Israel would like to restore control of the PA cities to the PA.
Prime Minister Sharon began the meeting by praising Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal's "leadership during these difficult times." He also said, "I know how hard it is to live here – in Sderot, Nir-Am, Gush Katif and every other place that is under this attack. I hope that the quiet continues, but if not, then the army and the security forces will continue to do whatever is needed to remove the threat from the residents... We don't know yet if the situation has truly changed; we hope so, and are following the events... We are always acting on behalf of the residents, even if not always publicly."
Gush Katif spokesman Eran Sternberg said afterwards, "We have no expectations from the Palestinians. In the framework of the 'peace festival,' it's good that Sharon comes to show solidarity with the people of Sderot – but at the same time, his silence regarding Gush Katif is understood by [the PA] as a signal to continue trying to murder the Jews there."
Arutz-7's Moshe Priel reports that Avner Shimoni, head of the Gaza Coast Regional Council – separated from Sderot by only a few kilometers, as the crow flies – attended the meeting, and asked for equal consideration for the Jewish residents of Gaza. "The Jewish residents of Gaza would like to be treated just like those who live adjacent to Gaza [on the pre-'67 side]," he said, referring to tax benefits granted to the residents of Sderot and environs. "We're also people, and there should be no discrimination between us."
Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz expressed his support for Shimoni's idea. "The residents of Gush Katif face a hard year ahead as it is," he said, "and there's no reason to add to their problems."
Shimoni asked Prime Minister Sharon to call off his disengagement plan and to take it instead to a national referendum.
The ministers discussed the fragile quiet on the part of the terrorists. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon said that the situation can better be described as a "period of calm," as opposed to a "temporary ceasefire." Defense Minister Mofaz said that if the situation allows, Israel would like to restore control of the PA cities to the PA.
Prime Minister Sharon began the meeting by praising Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal's "leadership during these difficult times." He also said, "I know how hard it is to live here – in Sderot, Nir-Am, Gush Katif and every other place that is under this attack. I hope that the quiet continues, but if not, then the army and the security forces will continue to do whatever is needed to remove the threat from the residents... We don't know yet if the situation has truly changed; we hope so, and are following the events... We are always acting on behalf of the residents, even if not always publicly."
Gush Katif spokesman Eran Sternberg said afterwards, "We have no expectations from the Palestinians. In the framework of the 'peace festival,' it's good that Sharon comes to show solidarity with the people of Sderot – but at the same time, his silence regarding Gush Katif is understood by [the PA] as a signal to continue trying to murder the Jews there."