ISRAEL: Gaza withdrawal, 3 years later

Three years ago, Israel implemented Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's "disengagement" plan and withdrew from the Gaza Strip, removing 21 Jewish settlements. The government acted unilaterally, saying that there was no Palestinian partner with whom to work. Most Israelis supported the move, feeling the Israeli civilian and military presence in the crowded Palestinian territory was more trouble than it was worth and that withdrawing from it would put Israel on more practically and morally defensible grounds. For many Israelis, leaving Gaza was good riddance, a relief. For the settlers, it was a personal and communal disaster.

Today, some of those who supported the plan feel the move was at best pointless. Others believe it has backfired entirely. The plan, as archived on the Knesset website, states that "the Gaza Strip shall be demilitarized and shall be devoid of weaponry" and that it will "lead to a better security situation, at least in the long term". Sharon and other officials had warned that Israel would respond harshly to any Kassam rocket fire after the disengagement. Last week home-front command officials warned that the city of Ashdod too should prepare for rocket attacks, as they continue to improve in range.

On Wednesday, former settlers marked the third anniversary of the withdrawal. Gathering as close as they could get to the Gaza Strip, they congregated near the Kissufim crossing with some of the razed communities within view. Danny Dayan, chairman of the Yesha Council, said they still felt the pain of the deliberate destruction of thriving Jewish communities and anger not only at the "moral crime" but the "folly and terrible results of the expulsion." Some settlers have begun registration for 20 groups that will reestablish the communities when the Israeli Defense Force returns to the Gaza Strip, which they believe is an inevitable security imperative.

A poll conducted among the former Jewish settlers found that 55% of them needed psychological treatment and a similar number say their physical and emotional health has suffered since the withdrawal. Some 42% believe the disengagement changed attitudes among the family's youths about service in the IDF, lowering motivation to serve. As many as 70% find their financial situation worse, unemployment among former settlers is three times the national average and 15% are dependent on friends and family for financial support. The government has failed in its treatment of the settlers of Gush Katif, say 98% of the respondents.

Three years later, Shosh Slutzky, formerly of the settlement of Ganei Tal, tells Israel radio she was still angry: "I still cannot wave the Israeli flag on Independence Day."

— Batsheva Sobelman in Jerusalem.

Photos: sign, 'We returned to Gush Etzion, we will return to Gush Katif too'; Children wave orange Gush Katif flags. Below: Yesha Council chairman Danny Dayan speaking at the rally. Credit: Yishay Hollender, Yesha Council. click to enlarge.

Comments

[dm]

In return for land we got rockets. Is this the peace Sharon sought? No. The more we give, the more they want. Jews will never learn how rabid is the enemy who will never give up the struggle to destroy Israel.

[John Smith]

It's really sad when you have to give back something that doesn't belong to you, isn't it?

The Palestine Review
http://palestinereview.com

[George]

Thieves always suffer when they have to return stolen property. I have no sympathy whatsoever.

[justtellthetruth]

We ought to be using every resource available to us in the US to force Israel to remove all settlements and occupying forces from the west bank, and all other occupied territories.

As maintained by sources as diverse and knowledgeable as the Iraq study group, the 9/11 commission members, Tony Blair, Bill Clinton, and even Pat Buchannon, The Israeli settler movement and its occupying forces are the primary philosophical engine behind Middle eastern terorrist funding and recruitment, and must be put to an end before the "war on terror" will ever be brought to an acceptable end.

Furthermore, The settlements are morally and strategically bankrupt, and cast a dark shadow over US and Israeli credibility worldwide.

[Eva Smagacz]

According to international law, and confirmed by International Court of Justice in its 9th of June 2004 ruling, Gaza is part of Occupied Palestinian Territories, and any settlements are illegal under the IVth Geneva Convention. Each and every settler is guilty of war crimes, but I doubt if their emotional difficulties are due to their sense of responsibility for their crimes.

Even USA has a policy to remind Israel, (and USA gets ignored just like the rest of the world), that the settlements are illegal.

I guess the author of this piece of heartstring tugging journalism "just" didn't think it worthwhile to bring the illegality of this sob story to his readers attention. Shame on you Sir, shame on your editors.