Another Gaza settler, Yoav Itzhaki, said he and some settlers wanted to establish their own authority in the region, autonomous from Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
"The state of Israel does not have the right to expel the local residents," Itzhaki told Army Radio, reading from the group's charter. "In light of this, we, the residents of the Katif Strip, have decided to stay in our homes and to establish the Jewish Authority of the Gaza Strip."
Police had expected large crowds yesterday at the Western Wall, the Jewish holy site in Jerusalem, as a sign of protest during the Tisha B'Av fast day. However, the crowds were smaller than feared, possibly because of the August heat.
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Battle for control of Gaza Strip begins
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