|
|
| By: Israel Insider staff and partners |
| Published: April 6, 2005 |
| |
An Israeli rabbi said Tuesday he expects thousands of Jews to take part in a demonstration at the Temple Mount, expressing the hope that it will put an end to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank.
Rabbi David Elboim said he is confident at least 10,000 Jews will heed his call to gather at Judaism holiest location when the Jewish month of Nissan begins on Sunday.
Elboim said the purpose of the demonstration was to stop the planned July evacuation of 9,000 Jews from all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and four small communities in the West Bank, approved by the government and parliament earlier this year.
"I am confident that many, many thousands, at least 10,000, will come to the Temple Mount on Sunday," he told The Associated Press. "There are enough people in this country who are still sane, who still want to stop the government from giving away of parts of our country."
Organizers state openly that their goal is to ignite a confrontation that would force Israel to cancel the pullout. A major conflagration at the site would kindle Islamic anger all over the world.
Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben Ruby said police were prepared for all contingencies at the site. He declined to say how many demonstrators he expected to arrive.
The AP contributed to this report. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
