Israelis Show Support for Settlers in Gaza
Thousands of right-wing Israelis poured into Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, marking Israel’s Independence Day with a protest against a planned pullout from Gaza in August.
The settlers and their supporters vowed to stay in their homes in Gaza, which Israel has occupied since the 1967 Middle East war.
They also defiantly inaugurated a synagogue in the Kfar Darom settlement.
Police estimated the turnout for the protest at 35,000, although settlers said the number was 80,000. Most Israelis favor giving up the enclaves.
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