SDEROT, Israel - Israeli residents of southern communities in range of Palestinian rocket fire from the Gaza Strip have launched a tax strike against the government.

After seven years living under the daily threat of rocket and mortar shell attacks, some residents decided to cease paying taxes in view of "the State's disengagement from the western Negev," according to a report in the Israeli daily Yediot Ahranot.

Residents went so far as to propose an independent Western Negev State.

"We're not breaking away from the State," said several residents of the western Negev.

"As far as we're concerned, there is no tahadiyeh (temporary calm with Hamas terrorists). We will continue our fight as planned," they said.

The group erected tents in the Nir Am and Magen intersections, where hundreds of residents from Sderot and nearby communities have spent the night.

"Our goal is first and foremost to unite all residents who support our cause," said Ofir Lipstein, a resident of Kfar Aza.

Source: YNet news