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http://www.arutzsheva.net/news.php3?id=105613
Sderot: No One In, No One Out
21:12 Jun 18, '06 / 22 Sivan 5766
by Hana levi Julian

Residents in Sderot have had it with the Kassam attacks and the government’s sluggish response to their need for protection. As of Monday morning, the city will shut down for 24 hours in protest.

City officials decided in an emergency meeting Sunday evening to raise the stakes in the struggle to get the government to protect their residents.

“We’re closing down the town. No one will be able to get in or get out,” announced Mayor Eli Moyal after he met with city council members. “As of tomorrow, Sderot is on strike,” he said.

The city will be completely sealed off and no one allowed in or out, including public officials --- among them Defense Minister Amir Peretz, a long-time resident, who will be likewise stuck.

In addition, said the mayor, the city’s children will start their summer vacation Monday. Report cards will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. “I assume they will have to solve this problem,” said Moyal. “I don’t want to be responsible for this as well.” The school year will end one day early for high school students and 11 days early for youngsters in still-unprotected elementary schools.

The last straw came in the hours just before dawn Sunday, when the city’s Rabin neighborhood was left in the dark after a Kassam rocket hit several electricity poles, leaving residents powerless for several hours.

The attack hardened the resolve of the mayor and city council members to take their protests to the streets. It was decided at the emergency meeting that a number of residents would also begin a camp-out in Jerusalem across from government offices.

“None of the government ministers care about Sderot,” charged Moyal. “The residents are exhausted. They cannot continue without the government doing something.” Hunger strikers, meanwhile, continued their fast across from Peretz’ home, where they have subsisted for more than a week on sugar water and vitamins in an effort to force officials to take more effective action to end the rocket attacks.

The government was set to approve the transfer of NIS 7.5 million on Sunday for summer camps and other educational activities for children in Sderot. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority also scheduled a day of recreational activities at the Yarkon national park for 750 children from the Kassam-battered town, funded by donations from private companies.

It is not clear how organizers of the event will deal with the city’s strike. Amid plans to entertain the children, however, is the sobering reality that construction on the fortification of schools and public buildings is yet to begin. Peretz told reporters last week that he expects the reinforcement to be completed for “most of the schools” by September.

Officials have yet to address the issue of protecting the children from Kassam rocket attacks while they swim in a pool or play outside during the newly-funded summer camp activities. Moyal recently announced that the city would not hold summertime activities because of the Kassam threat.

“If the government cannot provide the city residents with security, it should resign or say it outright,” said Moyal.

Published: 20:49 June 18, 2006
Last Update: 21:12 June 18, 2006