Since the closure, hundreds of cars have lined up in single file outside Gush Katif entrance, and policemen are turning back all those who do not have proof of residence in Gush Katif. Some of the turned-back cars left the area, but others remained, and the area is crowded and tense.
Tuvia, one of those stuck at the crossing, told Arutz-7, "This is a tremendous opportunity for a major protest. Some people are already starting to turn back, but if everyone remains and just stands outside his car, this could turn into a major statement of public protest."
Sources in Gush Katif said that plans are underway for a major protest to begin shortly.
Among the vehicles not allowed to enter were three tour buses, bringing mainly first-time visitors to Gush Katif. The passengers disembarked and held an impromptu protest demonstration at the site. "The police have brought water-trucks to the scene," said Lioz, one of the passenger/protestors, "but they haven't used them. They're probably just trying to intimidate us."
Lioz's wife and another woman were the only two passengers who were actually able to make it into Gush Katif. When the protest began, they began walking towards the crossing, and then, to their great astonishment, passed through with no problem. They then caught a ride with a resident to N'vei Dekalim. Startled at finding themselves inside the closed zone, one of them has decided to stay for at least today, while the other decided to return to her husband and three little children stuck on the other side of the closure.
Several students from a nearby yeshiva also arrived at Kisufim when they learned of the plans to close the Gush.
Among those who were able enter Gush Katif in the hours preceding this morning's closure were 18 students from nearby Yeshivat Sderot, as well as two teachers and their families. They will be living and studying in the ulpanah (girls' high school) of N'vei Dekalim.
Eran Sternberg, spokesman for Gush Katif, estimated that the population of Gush Katif has swelled by some 1,000 people over the past months and weeks. "But that's not enough," he said. "It's too bad that people weren't coming here in larger streams over the past few weeks."
Responding to Prime Minister Sharon's closure of Gush Katif, Gaza Coast Regional Council Mayor Avner Shimoni said, "This is his way of distracting attention from the terrorist attacks of yesterday... It's unheard of in a democracy for a government to fight against its citizens and prevent us from waging our struggle in this manner."
A call was issued last night from the community of Kfar Darom calling on residents not to cooperate with the soldiers at the checkpoints. "Don't identify yourselves!" blares the orange notice distributed to residents throughout the Gush Katif area. "For generations, Jews have dreamt of returning to Zion, but the ways were closed. Now we have merited to return home - and they want to again close us off?? We, residents of Gush Katif, will be asked to show identification papers at the crossings - but we call on you: Don't do it! Don't cooperate with the expulsion authorities! Don't help them hurt us! Every Jew has the right to travel freely in his Land, and we will demand this right. Remember, the minutes or hours of inconvenience at the checkpoint are important to help us save our wonder piece of this land. We hereby declare: No Checkpoint at Kisufim!"
Mayor Shimoni said that he agrees with the call, "and I assume that many will in fact adhere to it."
Tuvia, one of those stuck at the crossing, told Arutz-7, "This is a tremendous opportunity for a major protest. Some people are already starting to turn back, but if everyone remains and just stands outside his car, this could turn into a major statement of public protest."
Sources in Gush Katif said that plans are underway for a major protest to begin shortly.
Among the vehicles not allowed to enter were three tour buses, bringing mainly first-time visitors to Gush Katif. The passengers disembarked and held an impromptu protest demonstration at the site. "The police have brought water-trucks to the scene," said Lioz, one of the passenger/protestors, "but they haven't used them. They're probably just trying to intimidate us."
Lioz's wife and another woman were the only two passengers who were actually able to make it into Gush Katif. When the protest began, they began walking towards the crossing, and then, to their great astonishment, passed through with no problem. They then caught a ride with a resident to N'vei Dekalim. Startled at finding themselves inside the closed zone, one of them has decided to stay for at least today, while the other decided to return to her husband and three little children stuck on the other side of the closure.
Several students from a nearby yeshiva also arrived at Kisufim when they learned of the plans to close the Gush.
Among those who were able enter Gush Katif in the hours preceding this morning's closure were 18 students from nearby Yeshivat Sderot, as well as two teachers and their families. They will be living and studying in the ulpanah (girls' high school) of N'vei Dekalim.
Eran Sternberg, spokesman for Gush Katif, estimated that the population of Gush Katif has swelled by some 1,000 people over the past months and weeks. "But that's not enough," he said. "It's too bad that people weren't coming here in larger streams over the past few weeks."
Responding to Prime Minister Sharon's closure of Gush Katif, Gaza Coast Regional Council Mayor Avner Shimoni said, "This is his way of distracting attention from the terrorist attacks of yesterday... It's unheard of in a democracy for a government to fight against its citizens and prevent us from waging our struggle in this manner."
A call was issued last night from the community of Kfar Darom calling on residents not to cooperate with the soldiers at the checkpoints. "Don't identify yourselves!" blares the orange notice distributed to residents throughout the Gush Katif area. "For generations, Jews have dreamt of returning to Zion, but the ways were closed. Now we have merited to return home - and they want to again close us off?? We, residents of Gush Katif, will be asked to show identification papers at the crossings - but we call on you: Don't do it! Don't cooperate with the expulsion authorities! Don't help them hurt us! Every Jew has the right to travel freely in his Land, and we will demand this right. Remember, the minutes or hours of inconvenience at the checkpoint are important to help us save our wonder piece of this land. We hereby declare: No Checkpoint at Kisufim!"
Mayor Shimoni said that he agrees with the call, "and I assume that many will in fact adhere to it."