Five Long and Difficult Years Since Disengagement

KATIF OD CHAI – GUSH KATIF 5TH ANNIVERSARY THIS JULY 20


This year Tisha B’Av (July 19 and 20), when we commemorate the destruction of the 1st and 2nd Temples in Jerusalem, we also mark another tragedy for Israel - the 5th year since the destruction of 21 Gush Katif/Gaza, and 4 northern Shomron communities.


The destruction and expulsion of over 10,000 Jews from religious and non religious communities was disastrous on so many levels - personal and political. The personal hardships of joblessness, young people who feel abandoned, family units in crisis, and a 100% growth in illnesses related to high blood pressure, heart, and malignant diseases, continues to this day. The political fall-out included the 2006 2nd Lebanon war, the intensified rocket bombing of Sderot, Operation Cast Lead in Dec. 2009 followed by the outrageous Goldstone report, and the flotilla fiasco that took place just recently and threatens to continue to plague Israel.


It is critically important that Jews and Christians everywhere understand the magnitude of this event and its aftermath. NEVER AGAIN must we allow Jewish communities and lives to be sacrificed on the altar of appeasement of enemies who refuse to recognize Israel's right to exist and who swear to annihilate the country.


Rabbis have been contacted throughout America, asking them to include mention of the Gush Katif anniversary in their Tisha B’Av services. In addition, plans are being made for concerts, film festivals using professionally produced Gush Katif films, and speakers at events taking place before and after the fast day. Plans are in progress for Chicago - July 21, Miami - July 18, New York - an ongoing series of programs beginning July 18- in LA, an August event is planned. New Jersey, Los Angeles, Texas, Philadelphia, Seattle, Oregon, Boston, are all on board.


Organizations have agreed to help with programming and planning of events. AFSI, OU, Young Israel, ZOA, One Israel Fund, and Manhigut Yehudit all sent representatives to the first planning meeting, led by Dror Vanunu. The list of organizations spearheading the events continues to grow and we welcome them all with outstretched arms.


We ask that everyone take it on as a personal task to make some effort to see that his community does SOMETHING to remember the anniversary. Calls should be made to Helen Freedman at Americans For a Safe Israel/AFSI 212-828-2424; 1-800-235-3658; or email: afsi@rcn.com to find out what you can do and to receive information and materials to create your own program in your own community. The Gush Katif committee, led by Dror Vanunu and Laurence Beziz, is busily at work in Israel preparing posters, films, brochures and whatever materials are needed for a successful program. Displaced persons from the former Gush Katif communities may be available as speakers.


Please recognize that you are part of the team. It's your turn at bat. Hit that home run for Gush Katif and help those who have suffered to begin to rebuild their lives. At the same time you will be strengthening the promise, NEVER AGAIN.