Israel’s police force estimates that ten thousand people attended an anti-withdrawal protest in Netivot, a few miles outside the Gaza Strip, on Monday. In the evening, large-scale conflicts erupted between security forces and protesters, who tried to march in the direction of the Israeli communities inside the Gaza Strip. The protests did not result in any casualties.
Leaders of the opposition to the withdrawal plan had arranged a massive march from all over Israel into Gush Katif (an Israeli enclave inside the Gaza Strip).
They expected over one hundred thousand protesters to arrive at Netivot, but the police stopped many of the buses from even leaving bus stops around Israel. This decision was made by the police following information they received, that the protesters intended to stay near Gush Katif, and later try to enter the Israeli enclave and disrupt the withdrawal.
Nevertheless, tens of thousands of people managed to arrive at Maymon village, a few miles east of Gush Katif. The police are determined not to let them proceed on their march westward on Tuesday. Some 15,000 soldiers and policemen are spread out in the area.
Leaders of the Yesha Council (Council of Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza district) have also said they do not intend to give up, and that the protesters will enter the Israeli enclave in the Gaza Strip in the end.