Israel Scouts cancel Passover excursions

Friday, March 22, 2002 | by

JERUSALEM (JPS)—For the first time in its 83-year existence, the Israel Scouts have cancelled their Pesach vacation overnight

Rabino of the Israel Scouts said that until last week, he, too, believed the Scouts' trips would move forward. "We spoke about it at a meeting, and I remember saying, 'It's not a problem, because we go to the North.'"

A week later, there was an attack in the North.

Hashomer spokesman Aviv Leshem said his movement's trips would proceed as scheduled, and noted Hashomer is very careful. It follows security guidelines set out by the police and the Education Ministry. It monitors police and military warnings.

The movement has increased the number of guards. It has asked parents and former members to voluntarily help out to provide extra security, Leshem said.

"One of the movement's important philosophical tenets is to know the land, to know it with your feet. We do not want to give that up, and we do not want to give in to the situation," Leshem said.

He has heard from a number of Jerusalem parents who believe their children are safer out of the city, Leshem said.

But many parents are worried, Leshem said. Registration for the trips is down by 30 or 40 percent.

Yoram Barkovetz of Hano'ar said, "It is important to send a message that we are not broken.

"It's been mistakenly reported that we are cutting short some of our trips. We're changing some of the destinations, but the teens are still going on trips that last the same amount of time," Barkovetz said.

Some youth movements are expanding their programs this Pesach vacation in hopes of keeping teens and children off the streets and away from terrorist attacks.

The Israel Scouts and Hano'ar are opening their clubs to non-members.