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Apr. 27, 2005 10:33  | Updated Apr. 27, 2005 16:25
Kassam targets Gush Katif rally
By MATTHEW GUTMAN AND JPOST STAFF

 
Neveh Dekalim

A third Kassam rocket landed dozens of meters from an anti-disengagement rally in Neveh Dekalim on Wednesday afternoon wounding one soldier guarding the protesters.

The soldier was lightly wounded.

At least two Kassam rockets fell in Gush Katif early Wednesday morning as Gaza Coast Regional Council members scrambled to prepare this 8,000-person community for the influx of visitors.

However, turnout for the rally on Wednesday afternoon has so far been much lower than expected.

Gaza settler leaders had expected a crowd of 100,000, but so far, only about 40,000 – 50,000 people have arrived.

Empty buses were arriving, rather than ones teeming with supporters. But Gush Katif sources said earlier that thousands of protesters were on their way.

Turnout was expected to be bolstered by warm spring weather and the Passover holiday, when schools are closed and many people are on vacation.

Southern District police chief Cmdr. Uri Bar-Lev told The Jerusalem Post: "Yes, this was a quiet event. We issued permits in order that it be just that."

Eran Sternberg, the Regional Council's spokesman, said that police had been blocking buses bound for Gush Katif along the way.

Bar-Lev fiercely denied that claim. He said that this year's rally is far more organized than last year's. His officers are spread throughout the area in order to insure that every bus that comes toward Gush Katif can gain entrance.

Police have set up numerous checkpoints outside the Gaza Strip to prevent cars from entering. Only buses are allowed on the one lane route into Gush Katif. As many as 600 buses were expected to ferry the tens of thousands of demonstrators into the Gaza Strip.

Earlier Wednesday morning, the Gaza Coast Regional Council criticized police for closing the Strip to drivers earlier than expected.

While some settler leaders have expressed hope that the protesters will stay in Gaza to resist the withdrawal, which is scheduled to take place this summer, most participants were expected to leave.

"I don't think people intend to come and stay for that long, there is no need for them to do so either," Avner Shimoni, mayor of the Gaza settlements, told Army Radio. "People are coming to enjoy themselves, see the place and hug us and to tell us they are with us. I estimate that nobody will remain when it is over. "

Meanwhile, National Union MK Arye Eldad completed his protest march from the West Bank settlement of Sa-Nur to Gush Katif. Eldad said that the evacuation could bring destruction on Israel.

The major protest march is set to begin near Neveh Dekalim at 4 p.m with tens of thousands expected to participate. Part of the procession is expected to go right through the Muassi area, where about 7,000 Palestinians live.

With AP
 
 
 

Maranatha!
Deborah
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