Israelis line highways to protest pullout
At the main entrance to Jerusalem, cars pulled over to the side of the highway as hundreds of people held banners reading "Stop - Think Again" and "Orange Will Win."
Pullout opponents have adopted the colour orange because of the success of last year's Orange Revolution in the Ukraine and because it is the colour of the local council in Gush Katif, the main bloc of Jewish settlements in Gaza.
Some cars slowed down yesterday and honked in solidarity. A large contingent of riot police was on hand, but no confrontations were reported, and disruption to traffic was minimal.
In Gaza, meanwhile, settlers set up a makeshift outpost on the rubble of buildings the military knocked down Sunday and said they were preparing to take in thousands of withdrawal opponents.
Israeli soldiers scuffled with settlers in the first military operation of the pullout, giving a preview of the trouble liable to erupt when the forcible evacuation of 9,000 settlers in Gaza and the northern West Bank begins in mid-August.
Security officials have warned that during the evacuation, extremist settlers could open fire, and the military might be forced to use live fire. They are also worried that some soldiers opposed to the withdrawal will disobey orders to evacuate settlers.
The army also is concerned about Palestinian attacks, though Palestinian officials have pledged to maintain calm during the operation.
Still, Palestinian attacks have continued. Islamic Jihad militants said they fired six rockets on two settlements Monday in response to Israeli threats to target Islamic Jihad leaders.
The Israeli army reported three mortar attacks on Gaza settlements, but no injuries.
