"I turn to the country's leaders," said former Chief Rabbi Avraham Shapira, "and say, 'My brothers, don't do this evil [based on Genesis 19,7]'. What did the residents sin? Why do you prepare jails for them, and then come to the rabbis and ask them to calm down the atmosphere? The rabbis must explain what is forbidden. No one may cooperate with the expulsion of Jews from the Land of Israel and the turning-over of the land to foreigners. This is in opposition to Torah, Halakhah [Jewish Law], and ethics."



The gathering of hundreds of people in the Renaissance Hotel in Jerusalem was sponsored by the Ichud HaRabbanim - the Union of Rabbis for the Nation and Land of Israel.



Rabbi David Chai HaCohen of Bat Yam said that the rabbis agree that everyone must take an active part against the exiling of the Jews from their homes. He emphasized, however, that the rabbis insist that violence be avoided in both deeds and words.



One rabbi who did not participate in today's session – he avoids leaving Gush Katif whenever possible - was Rabbi Shmuel Tal, head of Yeshivat Torat HaChaim in N'vei Dekalim. He said last night that the presence of 100,000 concerned people on the roads leading to Gush Katif will be necessary and effective if the order is given to begin the expulsion.



Pinchas Wallerstein, head of the Binyamin Regional Council and a Yesha Council member, said, "The response [to this plan] must be to shore up the communities slated for destruction... If the government, Heaven forbid, decides to close up the area, we will not allow this to happen. We won't allow a closure on Jewish towns." As he has said in the past, Wallerstein said that everyone "must be willing to pay the price and sit in jail, if necessary."



Among the speakers were former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, Rabbi Dov Lior of Kiryat Arba, Rabbi Zalman Melamed of Beit El, Rabbi Tzphaniah Drori of Kiryat Shmonah, and others.



The rabbis and students are scheduled to take part in a "March Around the Temple Mount Gates" this evening. The monthly event, held at the start of almost every Jewish month (Rosh Chodesh), began with a small group four years ago, and has since become a very popular event of up to 5,000 participants. The marchers express their desire to identify with the Temple Mount by circling the holy site, stopping - and often singing - at each of the gates.