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Israelis vs Israelis in Gaza pullout

Monday`s start of disengagement from the Gaza Strip, which Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had hoped would mark a momentous step toward better security for Israelis if not peace with the Palestinians, is morphing into a troubling domestic battle of a sort that Israel has never seen before.

Never before have Israelis seen their own youth use tactics that seem to be lurching toward those used by young Palestinians protesters in the intifada. Part of the problem is the mixed message that settler leaders have been sending out. It says resist with all your power and might, do what you need to do, and at the same time, don`t use violence. It started with an announcement that settlers would lock the gates of all settlements Monday, before Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) troops were due to arrive at 7 a.m.

Many of the smaller settlements - and in particular the less religious or ideological ones - allowed the army to come inside their gates. But here in Neve Dekelim, settlers locked the gates and stood in the sun singing songs, defying the fanned-out forces of the Israeli army who tried to break through. The army decided to play it cool, sending in only a small number of forces through a back entrance, where they were met with protesters pushing for scuffles and burning tires. Elsewhere in the Gaza Strip Monday, as Israeli troops handed out eviction notices they were not met by protesters. In Morag, it was an operation filled with hugs and wails of anguish.