It seems like forever since I last sat down to write anything. It has been an exhausting experience, both physically and emotionally. Since that time about 5 or 6 days ago, we have been evicted/expelled from our homes in Gane Tal. We did so peacefully as the afternoon prayer service just prior to our leaving was one of the most moving I have ever experienced and contributed to everyone feeling that anything but would deprive us of a great spirit that resided with us during the tfilla (prayer).

I want to make one point clearly. MOST OF THE VIOLENCE SEEN ON TV IN RELATION TO GUSH KATIF SETTLEMENTS WAS ROOTED IN SUPPORTERS WHO ARE NOT FULL TIME RESIDENTS. THE RESIDENTS, FOR THE MOST PART DEPARTED IN PAIN AND PEACEFULLY. What lies ahead for the communities that remain in the northern Shomron remains to be seen and B”H will not be violent.

In fact there was such a display of pain and love between the evictee and the evictor that this became a truly remarkable part of the whole mess. I know our Arab neighbors will be rejoicing as though their terror was the key factor, but little do they know that because of their hate, we will be back.

Almost all of those in the synagogue were in tears and particularly the younger people. At the end of the service, many approached the Aron HaKodesh, which houses the Torah scrolls, and wept openly and for a long time. My daughter was among them and I stood with here and we wept together. After such a trauma and moving service, there was no room for violence. One was in too much pain and love of the land.

I could fill pages of what has happened to our community and me personally. Seeing the sad faces of young people. Knowing others will get busy to avoid the pain. Chasing down what happened to my unpacked things that I never returned to fully pack up as I could not get a permit to reenter to complete the supervision of the packing of the container. I was assured that it would be done. But some friends had already had a container and others clothes, stolen by? So here we are waiting to get word. Hurriedly packing things to get them into the container and on the trucks- a saga in itself. Meetings to arrange schooling, rights, compensation etc. 

Many, who did not previously negotiate with the government, are literally homeless. Others booted out of hotel rooms to make room for the booked quests. How uncaring is added to those in pain already! Gane Tal has gone to a kibbutz guest house until new, temporary housing is available. But those left out in the cold are being horribly penalized by their fellow Jew. First expelled/transferred by them and now being ignored or being treated worse than any refugee in our past! Will this Nation recover from such maltreatment?

I have heard some say they will not give a soldier a tramp (hitchhiking in Hebrew) for the next 3 years until this cycle of compulsory army service has gone through. Others will not think kindly of the police, who on TV today saw themselves as the victims!  

Today the last community in Gush Katif was evicted/expelled from their homes. It was the first time I could listen or look at news since we left. It was very painful to watch as when it’s you, you are in it. To see others is very painful. Also to have heard that the very house we lived in is now rubble brought Rahel and I to tears. For what we ask?

Today, is the month anniversary of the couple slain by terrorists as they drove home from Gane Tal. It is hard to believe that so much has transpired since their joyous family visit and horrendous ending.

But the spirit of this couple plus the spirit of those expelled will survive and inspire a Nation. This has been a recurring theme in Jewish history and we draw inspiration from our painful moments as a Nation. I only hope that we will learn from this. Already Ms Rice, of American renown, is calling for further steps to be taken by us. My comments would not be publishable!

We can only hope and pray that such as this will never recur!