Israel Insider Briefing: A half million Israelis arise to "Orange Dawn"

	August 11, 2005

Jump to today's weblog  |  support us HIGHLIGHTS: Expulsion opponents take to the streets A half million opponents of the Sharon regime's expulsion plan descended on the two focal points of modern Israel: the Western Wall surrounding Jerusalem's Temple Mount and Tel Aviv's Rabin Square. Never in Israel's history have so many people demonstrated in such numbers on consecutive days. Some observers said that never have so many people been in the Old City, nor in Tel Aviv's central plaza. It was an overwhelming show of force, and meticulous planning, all conducted without violence, and with intense serious of purpose. At the center of the events were practical plans to stop or delay the government's expulsion plans so that elections or a national referendum can be held, eventualities far more likely with this week's resignation of Finance Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu. But at the top of the agenda were mass actions of civil disobedience timed to coincide with the beginning of the final siege on Gaza and northern Samaria. It now appears, according to the just-unveiled Operation "Orange Dawn," opponents are to march in their tens of thousands to Israel's south. Unlike in previous demonstrations, there will be no rallies or long-winded speeches -- just massive attempts to distract and pre-occupy police and soldiers inside and outside the sealed-off areas. There is an awareness that these steps will involve clashes with security forces. Other expulsion opponents call for marches on the Gates of Jerusalem's Old City, blocking traffic throughout Israel, and anything else which will draw away force from the task of expelling families from their homes. The massive turnout for the demonstrations, the success of thousands of protesters in infiltrating the sealed-off areas, and the resignation of Netanyahu -- all these point to a momentum and level of resistance beyond what the government ever anticipated. There is something in the air. In this land, miracles can happen. And hundreds of thousands of people are willing to act, risking blows and arrest, to make Jewish history. Next week, just after the Tisha b'Av mourning fast, the people of Israel will arise to prevent another displacement and another destruction. It will be a protracted struggle, and it is not too late for opponents of this outrage to come to Israel to join the Orange Wave resistance. May we be blessed and successful in our mission. Reuven Koret Publisher Tears, sackcloth and prayers against pullout as 250,000 face Western Wall Multitudes of Israeli Jews poured into Jerusalem's Old City Wednesday for a collective prayer gathering to stop the implementation of the disengagement. INSIDER QUOTE "You will be remembered as the person who laid the cornerstone of the destruction of the state of Israel." Debby Drori, to be expelled from Kadim in northern Samaria, addressing PM Sharon Articles Mammoth rally in Tel Aviv against expulsion attracts hundreds of thousands 200,000 opponents of Israel's pullout from Gaza and northern Samaria gathered in Tel Aviv Thursday evening for their last large-scale rally before expulsion. Disengagement Diary: Yankee Yellow meets Israeli Orange 25 men and women wearing yellow shirts saying "Americans Against the Expulsion of Jews" somehow managed to get in. The ingathering of exiles has begun. A tale of two settlements Gaza settlers are divided. While the people of Peat Sadeh prepare to leave their homes, the people of Kfar Darom prepare to resist the evacuation. IDF admits thousands of protestors have infiltrated Gaza, despite closure Senior security officials have admitted that the number of anti-disengagement activists who have infiltrated Gush Katif has risen to 2,700. RECENT VIEWS Separating the Grandmas from the Wolves By Moshe Feiglin The market is open. All of the merchandise is on the stands and everyone can come to inspect it. Each of us must choose between good and evil. An open invitation to all my friends, and all friends of Israel By Orit I cannot shut my mouth anymore. Whatever your political opinions about the fate of Gaza, consider this is as a human issue, and take it personally. Jews in unison By Laura Ben-David Every man, woman and child, Haredi, modern Orthodox, secular: we were all there together. If anyone made it to the Wall, then we ALL made it to the Wall. Disengagement will bring war By Ted Belman The consequences of having the free flow of arms and terrorists in and out of Gaza and the West Bank are obvious. Yet Sharon is doing just that. Briefs Settler group plans to declare independence for new Jewish state in Gaza Anti-pullout leader Arieh Itzhaky and residents of the settlement of Kfar Yam plan to declare the establishment of the "Gaza Region Jewish Authority" Israel and PA create joint 'situation room' in Gaza A joint Israeli-Palestinian operation room started operating on Thursday to coordinate security activities before and during Israel's withdrawal. Soldier arrested for threatening to shoot PM Sharon Military police arrested Wednesday night an Israel Defense Forces soldier suspected of threatening to shoot Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Huge anti-pullout rally in Tel Aviv tonight Thousands of anti-pullout protestors are expected to attend the rally, dubbed 'Gush Katif: I swear' in Rabin Square tonight. 2,000 police will also be there. IDF soldier sentenced to 8 years for killing ISM activist A military court sentenced the former IDF soldier on Thursday, after he was convicted of the fatal shooting of a the British pro-Palestinian activist. Al-Qaeda suspect planned to attack Israeli ships in Turkey "I have no regrets," said the Syrian national, in a Turkish courtroom. "I was going to attack Israeli ships. If they come, my friends will attack them." 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