Traumatic evictions
Gaza is now free of Jews/Israelis and the disengagement policy has been
carried out successfully. For those of us who supported this policy as
being necessary for Israel's future, there are certain insights that are
worth sharing.
First, the settlers by and large behaved in a very dignified and controlled
manner under the circumstances. Violence was minimal considering the
emotions involved, and most of that came from the young infiltrators who
were there to cause trouble. Second, the armed forces, the IDF, police and
security services, behaved magnificently. They showed extreme care in
dealing with very difficult situations, and Israelis are justly proud of
them.
Note that probably about the same proportion of soldiers opposed the pullout
as the general population (ca. 35%), yet there were only two cases as far as
I know of soldiers actually refusing to carry out their orders, as opposed
to ca. 40 who refused prior to the actual disengagement, a negligible
number. Given the extremely trying circumstances this is a great compliment
to the young men and women of the Israeli armed forces, who went into the
settlements without any form of armament. In what other country in the
world would such a hard task have been handled in so exemplary a manner?
There is general condemnation of the groups of young right wing extremists
who poured caustic soda down on the soldiers who were trying to clear the
synagogue at Gush Katif, and those who started fires in various places.
Unfortunately, because of the relative openness of the West Bank, hundreds
of these trouble makers have apparently gathered at the two remaining
settlements in Samaria that are still to be evacuated, and this poses a
threat to the operation there in the next few days.
The Gaza settlers are now scattered and no doubt have been traumatized by
the experience of being evicted from their homes. Many of them failed to
prepare adequately, expecting some kind of miracle that the actual
evacuation order would never be implemented. Now some of them are
complaining that their housing is inadequate, but in some cases they have
only themselves to blame, and anyway one should remember that their current
housing is temporary (probably for 2 years). The largest single group is
now in temporary homes in Nitzanit, near Ashkelon, in an area similar to
Gaza itself. Others are in hotels, hostels and kibbutzim scattered around
the country.
There is no doubt that the predicament of the settlers evicted from Gaza
evinced great sympathy from the majority of Israelis of all political
persuasions. This undoubtedly has influenced political opinion in Israel
against any further such actions and PM Sharon announced today that there
will be no other "disengagements."
The PA has cooperated fully and effectively with the disengagement, and its
armed forces have prevented Palestinian civilians and armed groups from
approaching the settlements. However, Pres. Abbas has called for further
Israeli withdrawals in the West Bank and Jerusalem. There was a march
yesterday by al Aksa Martyrs Brigades gunmen on the PA Legislative Council
building in Gaza in which they claimed credit for the Israeli withdrawal and
demanded jobs and influence. They fired their guns but the PA forces were
unable to do anything to stop them.
Also, Hamas claims to have been responsible for the Israeli withdrawal. In
an interview in the Jerusalem Post today, Mahmoud Zahar, leader of Hamas in
Gaza, when asked if Hamas will renew its operations in Israeli towns replied
that "there are no Israeli towns. These are settlements. If the aggression
and occupation continue, the Palestinian people will have no alternative but
to defend themselves...We do not and will not recognize a state called
Israel."
So much for expecting any positive response from the Palestinians. Now we
must await the denouement of the disengagement. Will the terrorists wait
until the IDF has demolished the Gaza settlements, will the PA forces be
able to control access to the sites, will the PA be able to rebuild them so
that they create housing and jobs for the Palestinian people, will there be
fighting within Gaza, will the terrorists restart their campaign of murder
in Israel, and how will the IDF respond? Also, within Israel, will Sharon's
turn to the right be sufficient to save him and if not who will take over,
Netanyahu, Olmert, Landau? Only the future holds the answers to these
pressing questions.
carried out successfully. For those of us who supported this policy as
being necessary for Israel's future, there are certain insights that are
worth sharing.
First, the settlers by and large behaved in a very dignified and controlled
manner under the circumstances. Violence was minimal considering the
emotions involved, and most of that came from the young infiltrators who
were there to cause trouble. Second, the armed forces, the IDF, police and
security services, behaved magnificently. They showed extreme care in
dealing with very difficult situations, and Israelis are justly proud of
them.
Note that probably about the same proportion of soldiers opposed the pullout
as the general population (ca. 35%), yet there were only two cases as far as
I know of soldiers actually refusing to carry out their orders, as opposed
to ca. 40 who refused prior to the actual disengagement, a negligible
number. Given the extremely trying circumstances this is a great compliment
to the young men and women of the Israeli armed forces, who went into the
settlements without any form of armament. In what other country in the
world would such a hard task have been handled in so exemplary a manner?
There is general condemnation of the groups of young right wing extremists
who poured caustic soda down on the soldiers who were trying to clear the
synagogue at Gush Katif, and those who started fires in various places.
Unfortunately, because of the relative openness of the West Bank, hundreds
of these trouble makers have apparently gathered at the two remaining
settlements in Samaria that are still to be evacuated, and this poses a
threat to the operation there in the next few days.
The Gaza settlers are now scattered and no doubt have been traumatized by
the experience of being evicted from their homes. Many of them failed to
prepare adequately, expecting some kind of miracle that the actual
evacuation order would never be implemented. Now some of them are
complaining that their housing is inadequate, but in some cases they have
only themselves to blame, and anyway one should remember that their current
housing is temporary (probably for 2 years). The largest single group is
now in temporary homes in Nitzanit, near Ashkelon, in an area similar to
Gaza itself. Others are in hotels, hostels and kibbutzim scattered around
the country.
There is no doubt that the predicament of the settlers evicted from Gaza
evinced great sympathy from the majority of Israelis of all political
persuasions. This undoubtedly has influenced political opinion in Israel
against any further such actions and PM Sharon announced today that there
will be no other "disengagements."
The PA has cooperated fully and effectively with the disengagement, and its
armed forces have prevented Palestinian civilians and armed groups from
approaching the settlements. However, Pres. Abbas has called for further
Israeli withdrawals in the West Bank and Jerusalem. There was a march
yesterday by al Aksa Martyrs Brigades gunmen on the PA Legislative Council
building in Gaza in which they claimed credit for the Israeli withdrawal and
demanded jobs and influence. They fired their guns but the PA forces were
unable to do anything to stop them.
Also, Hamas claims to have been responsible for the Israeli withdrawal. In
an interview in the Jerusalem Post today, Mahmoud Zahar, leader of Hamas in
Gaza, when asked if Hamas will renew its operations in Israeli towns replied
that "there are no Israeli towns. These are settlements. If the aggression
and occupation continue, the Palestinian people will have no alternative but
to defend themselves...We do not and will not recognize a state called
Israel."
So much for expecting any positive response from the Palestinians. Now we
must await the denouement of the disengagement. Will the terrorists wait
until the IDF has demolished the Gaza settlements, will the PA forces be
able to control access to the sites, will the PA be able to rebuild them so
that they create housing and jobs for the Palestinian people, will there be
fighting within Gaza, will the terrorists restart their campaign of murder
in Israel, and how will the IDF respond? Also, within Israel, will Sharon's
turn to the right be sufficient to save him and if not who will take over,
Netanyahu, Olmert, Landau? Only the future holds the answers to these
pressing questions.
posted by Jack Cohen at 9:44 AM
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