Last update - 00:00 11/06/2007
IDF okays rightist rally at ex-W. Bank settlement of Homesh
By Nadav Shragai, Haaretz Correspondent
Israel Defense Forces on Monday said it would allow protesters to hold a rally at the former West Bank settlement of Homesh on Tuesday, the first time protesters have been legally allowed to demonstrate at the site since it was evacuated in 2006.
Over the past year, protesters have held numerous illegal rallies and marches at Homesh, which was evcauted during Israel's pullout from the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank.
Tuesday's rally is organized by a number of groups headed by the Yesha Council. Protestors will leave the old train station of Sebastia, a place of symbolic significance as it was the site of the first post-1967 Jewish settlement in the West Bank over 30-years ago, and head for Homesh where participants will be addressed by members of Knesset and public officials.
Thousands are expected to take part in the march, mostly members of the National Religious-affiliated Bnei Akiva, Ezra, Ariel, and Noam youth groups.
Rally organizers have purchased shovels, brooms, racks and hoes, and participants have been asked to bring tools to help "preparing the place for occupation, or at least give it back its previous appearance, with paths, roads and vegetation."
Local Jewish authorities plan to put up street signs bearing the names of Homesh residents killed in shootings by Palestinians.
The Homesh First organization, that was behind the previous protests at the site, is not participating in the rally and is planning a separate march aimed at permanently resettling the site.