Hillel Fendel, writing for Arutz Sheva on Oct. 17, describes the Land of Israel Legal Forum second report to the State Comptroller, entitled, “THE FAILURES IN CARING FOR THOSE UPROOTED FROM GUSH KATIF AND NORTHERN SHOMRON.” “The 19-page report details all that went wrong with the government’s treatment of the residents after their expulsion. The report paints a ’sad picture of faulty treatment of people whose entire world was destroyed.”

While many were impressed with the cruel efficiency of the Israeli police and army in forcibly removing 10,000 Jews from their homes, farms, schools, playgrounds, synagogues, yeshivot, places of employment, and cemeteries, the total lack of efficiency in caring for the displaced persons leaves a shameful record of neglect and broken promises on the part of the Israeli government.

Fendel’s summary of the report details the elongated stays in hotel rooms inadequate for families, with the lack of normal amenities available in a home. It describes the plight of the yeshiva students, left without any means of support; property stored in containers - at the owners’ expense - which cannot be accessed, and the contents, stored at abnormally high temperatures, undoubtedly damaged; the failure of the Disengagement Authority to live up to its slogan, “Every resident has a solution,” since housing, employment, schooling, agricultural plots, counseling and more remain unresolved and largely unaddressed.

The “general inefficiency and lack of consideration on the part of the Disengagement Authority” is seen in the failure to deal with the emotional problems of the refugees, especially those who had to rebury their dead, and the failure to provide proper security for the displaced persons, many of whom have been relocating in the western Negev, not far from the Gaza border.

Unbearable financial burdens are placed on the refugees. They are required to continue paying mortgage payments on their destroyed homes, while the government fails to provide the promised inadequate “compensation” monies. As the seasons are changing, money is needed for winter clothing as well as a hundred different purposes, and most of the refugees remain unemployed, having had their sources of income destroyed. This once proud, productive community of people has now been reduced to the position of becoming beggars, relying on the kindness of strangers to give them some relief.

All of this is unconscionable, and should arouse the anger of all those truly concerned with human rights and dignity. Instead, we find in another Fendel report of Oct. 17, in discussing the latest PA cold-blooded murders of three young Israelis, and the wounding of five more, a quote from Yossi Beilin. He objects to the safety measures that the IDF will impose - probably for just a short time as MK Effie Eitam predicts - and is quoted as saying, “We have said all along that if the diplomatic process (emphasis mine) does not continue in Judea and Samaria, the disengagement from Gaza will have been a waste.”

In other words, the lives of beautiful young Israelis don’t matter at all. They are sacrifices to the “diplomatic process.” And the destruction of 21 communities in Gaza will have been for naught unless 250,000 more Jewish refugees are created in the give-away of Judea and Samaria to the terrorists who are gunning down Israelis whenever they choose.

What we have here is shame and disgrace of the highest order. The government of Israel is failing its people at every turn. Another Fendel article in Arutz Sheva’s Oct. 17 report tells us that America is pushing this program and received promises from Israel in a side letter to the “Disengagement Plan”, which were not discussed in the Cabinet or the Knesset. These promises severely compromise Israel’s ability to protect its citizens in Judea and Samaria. We see the results of Israeli government “concessions”, “confidence-building” and “humanitarian gestures” towards the Arabs in the increased attacks on Israeli citizens.

While we wait for the government to assume its obligations, those wishing to help the abandoned Jewish refugees of Gush Katif may send tax-deductible contributions made out to FRIENDS OF GUSH KATIF, mailed to Americans For a Safe Israel, 1623 Third Ave., Suite 205, New York, NY 10128. Rachel Saperstein, a refugee from Nevei Dekalim, has a band-aid fund where money is distributed to those who request it. Checks may be made out to “The Central Fund of Israel” c/o Jay Marcus, Rehov Hagoel 13, Efrat Israel 90435 and earmarked for “Rachel-Operation Band-Aid.” Another organization, HONENU, that provides legal assistance to over a thousand Jews, including 650 children between the ages of 12-18 arrested for protesting the expulsion, is in need of funds. Donations to: Honenu, 8204 Lefferts Blvd., Suite 381, Kew Gardens, NY 11415 - Tel: 718-441-7300 - Honenu.org.il

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 18th, 2005 and is filed under opinion. You can leave a response.