Ashdod: Cancel parts of studies in Haredi sector

Concern that rocket shooting from Gaza will expand: for the first time this Shabbos, a rocket was fired into the city of Be'er Sheva. Following the incident, the defence system fears the extension of rockets to Ashdod and canceled school in unprotected buildings, mostly in the Haredi sector.

In contrast, in the city of Ashkelon, following consultations held this evening with all the security factors, it was decided to hold tomorrow as planned all activities in summer camps, in kindergartens and schools.

An alarm sounded this afternoon (Shabbos) in Be'er Sheva and a rocket was fired at the city. The rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome system.

So too, the Iron Dome system intercepted rockets fired at the Ashkelon Beach and Ofakim. Iron Dome intercepted one rocket, the other two exploded in open areas.

Following the events and tension, Ashdod Municipality announced that tomorrow there will not be school or other educational activities in unprotected buildings in the city, most of which are in the Haredi educational institutions.

Even tonight, after Shabbos, firing continued at the western Negev and at Hof Ashkelon council areas. Iron Dome intercepted three rockets. More rockets were fired at the Eshkol Regional Council. There were no casualties or damage.

Beersheba Mayor Ruvik Danilovich, urged the Israeli government to change its policies and respond vigorously at shooting at Israel's southern communities. "A sovereign state must maintain its deterrence and protect all of its citizens, anywhere. Our response should not come only following rockets shot at Beersheba, Ashdod or Tel Aviv," he said last night. He said the terrorists firing at Sderot and the Gaza area is severe. "This is a red line which one should not ignore, just as one harms a big city in Israel."

Against the background of the deteriorating security situation in the south and towards the cabinet meeting tomorrow evening, ministers of the government published their reaction to the continued shooting tonight.

Chairman of the Jewish Home and cabinet member Naftali Bennett said he would continue to work to promote a policy of zero tolerance to terror organizations and incitement of the Palestinian Authority.

"The strategy of "quiet will be answer quietly", he said,"undermines Israel's deterrence and allows Hamas to grow stronger from round to round. Restraint in the face of firing on women and children is not power. Restraint versus execution of three children is weakness.

"From Syria to Wadi Ara they watch residents of Beersheba running to shelters, expecting a powerful reaction and interpreting our non-operation as a fear to act. A million people in shelters is a situation we can not continue.

"Southern residents are not second-class citizens, and the need to respond to the firing of Be'er Sheva just as we would react to firing at Tel Aviv, and not wait for shooting at Tel Aviv. I do not accept the statement that there is no way to stop the missiles. The nation of Israel reveals special resilience, is prepared to recruit for every task, and the statement should be clear:
Zero missiles on Israeli cities. Zero tolerance for terrorism. Zero tolerance towards PA incitement that costs us blood."

Housing Minister Uri Ariel from the Jewish Home turned tonight following the continued shooting and escalation in the south to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu demanding to hold tomorrow at the Cabinet meeting an emergency hearing on actions which the government adopted against terrorism: "It is inconceivable," he said, "that residents of the south are forced to live in fear and inside protected areas when in the streets of Gaza life goes on as usual. The equation that we are responsible for the cease, and they are responsible for the fire, can no longer continue and the State of Israel must respond forcefully and firmly until the decision of Hamas."

Deputy Minister Ophir Akonis accused Arab MKs with inducing incitement. "There is a direct connection between the conduct of Arab Knesset members that utilize well the tools of democratic and parliamentary immunity to harm the State of Israel, and the incitement and rioting against the state in the Arab sector," said Akonis.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!