Pubdate: Mon, 27 Jun 2005
Source: Jerusalem Post (Israel)
Copyright: 2005 The Jerusalem Post
Contact: http://info.jpost.com/C002/Services/Feedback/editors.html
Website: http://www.jpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/516
Author: Nina Gilbert

ALEI YAROK OFFERS NEW TAKE ON PULLOUT

Activists of the pro-cannabis Alei Yarok party are on a mission to bring
relaxation to Gaza during disengagement.

On Sunday, party chairman Boaz Wachtel and group members campaigned in Gaza
for the government to issue a temporary order to allow settlers and security
personnel to use cannabis during planned evacuation of settlements in August
to reduce the level of violence.

However, Wachtel and his cohorts, who support the disengagement plan, mostly
got a negative response to their idea.

"A brawl started and we were nearly tossed out of the Maoz Hayam Hotel"
where settlers were holed up, he said.

The group also blocked a few roads in Gaza to give settlers "a taste of
their own medicine in an act of defiance of their violent behavior."

Wachtel said that according to research, cannabis is known for its relaxant
properties and for its ability to reduce aggression and violent behavior.

He said a sizeable amount of cannabis was grown in Gush Katif and the
Palestinian area of Gaza. "In the extreme settlements there is a wide use of
cannabis," he claimed.

During the visit, he said a few young settlers approached the group and
expressed support for cannabis use to reduce violence.

Wachtel had planned to quit politics in 2003 after a second unsuccessful
run, but activists encouraged him to continue his efforts. He said he had a
feeling that elections would be called in November, but emphasized that the
party was operating year round to support medical use of cannabis.

He said he was not concerned that supplies would diminish after the pullout
from Gaza, attributing government prohibition to encouraging a high price on
the black market. He blamed the government for what he said was terrorists
making money off of the marijuana trade. "It contributes to the
strengthening of terrorist organizations," he said of the prohibition.
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