Freeze Conclusion Nearing: Thousands will Visit the Shomron 

The Eretz Yisrael Shelanu (Our Land of Israel) Movement held an emergency gathering in Kfar Saba.  At the gathering, it was decided to bring masses of visitors to the Shomron in the coming months. These visits are of utmost importance, and will give the thousands of expected participants the opportunity to get acquainted with the Shomron, the strategic region that protects Kfar Saba and the Dan Region. MK Dr. Michael Ben Ari warned of the grave repercussions of the construction freeze on the future of the country. 

Shai Gefen, CEO of Our Land of Israel, emceed the event. He reported about the thousands who visited the Shomron during the past year, thanks to the intense efforts, aiming to infuse the public′s conscience with the plain truth that without the Shomron our situation would be similar to that of the cities in the South, living under missile threat. 

Attorney Elyakim Haetzni held the audience spellbound as he expounded on the dangers and falsehoods of the non-existent concept - "Palestinian State". Next at the podium was Rabbi Boruch Marzel of Chevron, who spoke about the Land of Israel as our inheritance, and the present obligation to strengthen each and every settlement in Yehuda and Shomron, in preparation of the struggle to break the freeze. 

Rabbi Sholom Dov Volpo addressed the assemblage and spoke of his recent move to the Beitar Ilit settlement precisely during the construction freeze.     He bought the house that is on the freeze fence in order to practice what he preaches.  Rabbi Volpo called upon all the assembled to act, as well as preach, since the future of our children is at stake.

MK Michael Ben Ari was the keynote speaker.  In a riveting speech, he described his work in the Knesset and the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and told of the distorted comprehension of senior officers.  He warned of the grave implications that the freeze will have on the future of Israel and the settlement in Yehuda and Shomron. Ben Ari declared, "We must aspire to lead. We have the power, the public is thirsting for leadership that will tell the truth without compromise, the youth is thirsting to listen, and we must attend to these needs." Ben Ari′s words were greeted with thunderous applause and encouragement for his many activities. 

Boaz Haetzni of "Chomesh First" and Colonel Gadi Durchler rounded out the list of speakers.  Thus ended another great conference, coordinated by activist Tomer Tzanaani. 
 

Philatelic Services Issue Gush Katif Stamp 

Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin hosted a very moving ceremony in his office, saluting the Gush Katif Museum on its second year of operation and remembering the disengagement, which he called a "national trauma."  
 
At the event, the Israeli Stamp Service produced a new stamp honoring the museum.  
 
The Minister of Communications Moshe Kachlon and Director of  Philatelic Services Yaron Ratzon were amongst the distinguished guests at the event.  
 
"The days of Tisha B′av mark the making of that controversial decision which led to the national trauma," began Speaker Reuven Rivlin. "There are those who call it an expulsion. The people of Israel are still trying to recover from the horror, but to no avail.  
 
"Those people whom we forced out of their homes still have no peace of mind. We won′t forget the trauma. For many it was a hard blow on a personal level as well as on a national level.  
 
"We mustn′t forget our blunders so that we can have better judgment next time. I bless the staff at the Gush Katif Museum; there is no question that this stamp′s presentation will have historic resonance."  
 
Director of Philatelic Services Yaron Ratzon said of the event, "This ceremony will go into the history books of the philatelic services in an official and governmental way. We commend the management of the Gush Katif Museum who work tirelessly."  
 
The museum′s director Shlomo Wasserteil told the crowd that the expulsion was a direct result of senseless hate, similar to what caused the destruction of the Second Bais HaMikdosh. "The people of Gush Katif and the Gush Katif Museum represent reasonless love and the public should assist us in our goals."  
 
Other representatives of the government spoke at the prestigious event.  
 
All mail from Knesset on the day of the stamps release was marked with the special issuance stamp, which officially salutes the Gush Katif Museum. (Chabad.info)  

The stamp was issued in a limited edition. It is a rare and exclusive memento.   To place your order, please contact the Gush Katif Museum, 5 Shaarei Tzedek Street, Yerushalayim.  Telephone: 02- 6255456.    
 

Hundreds Gathered at the Kever of Elazar and Isamar, Sons of Aharon HaKohein 

On the occasion of the yohrtzeit of Aharon HaKohein,on Rosh Chodesh Av, hundreds of Jews gathered at the holy gravesite of his sons Elazar and Isamar at the Anapta village in the Shomron, near Sh′chem. The yohrtzeit event was organized with the assistance of the Shomron Regional Coun cil chaired by Gershon Mesika. 
 
 

25 Rabbonim: We Forbid the Rental of Apartments to Infiltrators

The pressure is high in the southern Tel Aviv neighborhoods. Sudanese infiltrators make their way from the Egyptian- Israeli borders, sneaking into Israel and renting living quarters in the southern part of Tel Aviv.  These neighborhoods have become breeding grounds for crime and violence. Being that the government has taken no action to alleviate the situation, the residents felt that they could not continue to live with this. They refused to allow the neighborhood of their youth deteriorate into a Sudanese quarter (as has already happened to Neve Sha′anan).

After many attempts using the conventional channels and staging demonstrations, to no avail, the residents approached 25 Rabbonim to sign a halachic edict prohibiting the rental of apartments to infiltrators.  The residents hope that this will stem the decline of their neighborhood. 
 
 

Gush Katif Museum Open to Visitors until 2:00 AM 

Due to popular demand, the Gush Katif Museum remained open on the eve of Tisha B′Av until 2:00 am. The reciting of the Lamentations began at 10:30 PM and was relayed by live broadcast. During the course of the night, many commemorative and unique films were shown, and special memorial lamentations were said in memory of the settlements of Gush Katif and Northern Shomron. 

The Gush Katif Museum is open during the summer months from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM from Sunday until Thursday, and on Fridays 9:00 – 2:00. 
 

Symposium: The Expulsion and the Media

A monthly panel discussion takes place at the Gush Katif Museum at 5 Shaarei Tzedek St. in Yerushalayim. The panel deals with important and pertinent issues. The coming panel will deal with the timely issue commemorating five years since the expulsion, titled "The Expulsion and the Media." This special panel will be addressed by first class media personalities. 

At the end of the session, a question and answer period will be open to the audience.

* Limited admission, please reserve places in advance.

* Token entrance fee (to cover costs)- 20 NIS

To register, please call Noah: 02-6255456