Ministry of Defense officials have instructed the Ministry of Education to cancel any planned school trips to Gaza seamline communities due to the threat of a rocket attack.

The new directive prohibits any school trips south of Rout 35, Yad Mordechai – Gavim Junction or west of Route 232, Gavim Jct. via Ba’ari Jct. to Kerem Shalom.

Shikma High School students in Kibbutz Yad Mordechai explain as a result, they cannot continue a school tradition of cleaning the Zikim Beach and other sites in the area as they have in the past. In a related matter, YWN reported on May 5th (HERE) that Zikim Beach is remaining closed this year due to the deteriorating number of people willing to visit, once again because of rocket attacks.

In addition, the memorial at Yad Mordechai Junction for 20 Israelis murdered in Egypt will also be neglected, as will other nature reserve sites and attractions.

School officials are storming over the new directive, stating it will have a profound negative impact on the education of area students.

“We gave up a portion of land and got terror,” one student wrote in his letter to Chof Ashkelon Regional Council head Yair Farjoun.

Israel Nature Society officials have also stopped tours and hikes to the area, explaining there is simply no demand at present.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)