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Israeli Settlers Stage Mass Protests Against Territorial Concessions
Thousands of students from Jewish settlements are gathering Monday in the Rose Garden just opposite the Israeli Knesset (parliament) to protest further territorial concessions to the Palestinians.
Protestors are also staging a mass rally outside Prime Minister Ehud Barak's home in Jerusalem to protest his plans to transfer to the Palestinians over 90 percent of the West Bank territory, dismantle Jewish settlements in the areas to be handed over or leave the settlers under Palestinian control.
The demonstrations are part of a day-long strike declared by the extreme right-wing Yesha Council of Jewish Settlements.
All the schools in the Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which the Israelis call Judea and Samaria according to biblical tradition, and Gaza are closed Monday after a call by the council so that teachers and students could participate in the anti- government demonstrations.
Many politicians and Education Ministry officials condemned the inclusion of students in the demonstrations, noting that this would set a negative precedent for other groups.
Education Ministry Director-General Shlomit Amichai said on Sunday that removing children from school to attend political demonstrations would constitute a disciplinary violation, and warned that school principals and teachers who do not comply will have their pay withheld according to the number of days students were out of school.
As the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations entering a critical stage, Barak has met increasing domestic opposition and pressure against his plans to transfer land to the Palestinians.
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