Students from 46 U.S. college campuses are to begin a strike today, while other groups are planning simultaneous acts of civil disobedience.
Protestors decked out in orange - the color that has become symbolic of support for Jewish life in Gaza and northern Samaria - are preparing a noisy reception for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon when he arrives in the United States early next week.
The Coalition of Americans to Save Gush Katif/Gaza and the Northern Shomron Communities is promoting a mass protest and prayer vigil in New York City on Sunday, May 22. While Prime Minister Sharon will be a visiting guest of the Conference of Presidents, Federation and the Israeli Consulate, thousands of protestors are expected to be standing outside at Baruch College at 17 Lexington Ave. & 23 St. The organizers are urging attendees to wear orange clothing or purchase orange T-shirts at the demonstration.
Prominent rabbis and public figures who will speak at the rally include Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) National President Morton Klein, New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, and Rabbis Moshe Tendler, Steven Pruzansky, Heshy Reichman, and Neil Winkler.
The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations has voted to support the evacuation, but has rejected a move to publicize its support. Liberal groups within the umbrella organization plan to publish pro-Sharon advertisements this week.
Malcolm Hoenlein, vice-president of the Conference, admits, "We're headed for more difficult times… It will be very difficult for a lot of people to see Jews taken from their homes."
Sharon fears that opposition to his plan will make it difficult to win Congressional support for massive aid, including a request for $1.6 billion to help fund the evacuation. A House Appropriations Committee member, speaking on conditon of anonymity, questioned whether Congress would approve more aid. "What's the rationale? Israel says it's taking a unilateral action in its own interest."
On the other hand, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, told the Forward that he backed granting Israel financial aid to help offset the costs of the pullout - as well as for aid to the Palestinian Authority.
ZOA President Klein said his group "should be telling people that any extra funding that is being considered to help facilitate the forced deportation of Jews is funding used to violate human rights."
The ZOA also noted that the American population as a whole has reversed its opinion of two years ago concerning the establishment of a new Arab state. Most respondents now prefer a new state only after an end to violence and an Arab recognition of Israel. Two years ago, the majority felt that a new state would foster peace.
Active support for Jews under the threat of evacuation is coming from Jewish groups who are scheduled to visit Gush Katif in the coming weeks. New York State Assembly Dov Hikind is to lead his second mission in early June, on the heels of a mission this month by Americans for a Safe Israel. Hikind's group has prepared a back-up plan to stay in nearby Ashkelon in the event that the government tries to prevent them from entering Gush Katif.
Several members of Hikind's first mission were detained at the airport when they arrived, undergoing questioning and a "debriefing." Officials told them they could not visit Gush Katif because it was a closed military zone.
Hikind explained to the officials that his group comes from a country where protesting government policy is a right of every citizen, and that members of his mission would not be discouraged from exercising the same right in democratic Israel. After their release, they boarded buses and freely entered the area, which had not been closed to civilians.