their meager possessions — including
an ancient air conditioner, a Sony
boombox and several dozen books of
Talmud and Gemarah — in the tent,
knowing that they may well be ground
into the earth when the outpost is
removed.
Asked why he had not removed his
possessions in the face of the expected
onslaught, Zar said, "We have to
believe, and we have to show the kids
that we still have hope."
Until last week, the settlers' Yesha
Council was cautious not to rouse the
ire of Sharon, as well as their right-
wing sympathizers in the government.
Now, with Israel beginning to disman-
tle outposts while Palestinian terror
attacks continue, the council has said
it will oppose the evacuations.
For every outpost removed, Yesha
officials pledged in a press conference
June 9, five more will be erected. The
National Religious Party and National
Union have called evacuation of
inhabited outposts a "red line" that
would compel them to leave the gov-
ernment.
"We will do everything we can to
torpedo, obstruct and to prolong this
step," Yesha Council spokesman
Yehoshua Mor-Yosef said. He accused
Sharon of "cynically and manipulative-
ly" exploiting settlers in an effort to
place them in conflict with the Israel
Defense Forces.
The foot soldiers in this struggle are
the youth who, under the orders of
.the Yesha Rabbinical Council, have
flocked to the hills. The Rabbinical
Council also has called on members of
the army to question the morality of
the government's evacuation orders.
"The decision to uproot Jews from
their homes and land in outposts or
settlements" is "a crime from a Jewish,
national and moral standpoint," the
council said. "We call on the govern-
ment to retract this wretched and con-
temptible decision and we will use all
our ability to prevent it from going
forward."
But the settlers say they will keep
their opposition peaceful. Prowling the
hilltop for cigarettes, Ido Austin, 18,
and Elyashiv Geali, 16, were adamant
about not using violence against sol-
diers. "You see this kippah?" said
Austin, plucking the knitted cap from
his head. "I will bury it in the dirt if I
hear anyone call soldiers Nazis again."
Meanwhile, gunfire crackled
throughout the night in Nablus, just a
few miles away. Army jeeps careened
down the empty, winding highways,
picking up young stragglers making
their way to the outposts. II

Thursday
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June 19th 10 - 7
June 20th 10 - 6
June 21st 10 - 4

Representative James Goodman will be here on Thursday & Friday

June 26th 10 - 7
June 27th 10-6
June 28th 10 - 4

will be here on Thursday & Friday till Noon

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6/13
2003

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