Hundreds of Jordan Valley residents protested outside the Prime Minister\'s office in Jerusalem this morning, railing against security and other deteriorating circumstances in their region. Two Israelis were murdered along the Jordan Valley highway yesterday morning, and just last week, the residents protested their area\'s problematic economic situation by turning off all lights in all of their 18 communities. Just over 600 families now live there, following the departure of 51 in the past months. Regional Council head David Levy said yesterday that he will no longer allow students and teachers to travel in non-bulletproof cars, \"even if it means that no schools will open.\"
In today\'s protest, speaker after speaker took the stage to relate how their life\'s work is now falling apart in front of their eyes. They demand that Prime Minister Sharon provide not only better security, but also economic help for tourism and for businesses that have suffered or collapsed as a result of the violence, as he promised. \"At the very least,\" said David Lachayani, \"no Arab traffic on the Jordan Valley highway should be allowed.\" It was later reported that this idea will in fact be enforced by the IDF as of today.
Representatives of the protestors obtained a meeting this afternoon with Prime Minister Sharon\'s Bureau Director Uri Shani. It was agreed that a special team of directors-general would convene this Sunday to try and find solutions to the issues raised by the Jordan Valley, Maaleh Ephraim and Megillot Regional Council area residents. In addition, representatives of the Prime Minister\'s Office, the Finance Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry will visit the Jordan Valley area tomorrow.
In today\'s protest, speaker after speaker took the stage to relate how their life\'s work is now falling apart in front of their eyes. They demand that Prime Minister Sharon provide not only better security, but also economic help for tourism and for businesses that have suffered or collapsed as a result of the violence, as he promised. \"At the very least,\" said David Lachayani, \"no Arab traffic on the Jordan Valley highway should be allowed.\" It was later reported that this idea will in fact be enforced by the IDF as of today.
Representatives of the protestors obtained a meeting this afternoon with Prime Minister Sharon\'s Bureau Director Uri Shani. It was agreed that a special team of directors-general would convene this Sunday to try and find solutions to the issues raised by the Jordan Valley, Maaleh Ephraim and Megillot Regional Council area residents. In addition, representatives of the Prime Minister\'s Office, the Finance Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry will visit the Jordan Valley area tomorrow.