An atzeres was held on Sunday night 8 Elul commemorating the destruction of Gush Katif. The event was held in the shul in Amona, which is slated for destruction in line with a High Court ruling, which must be carried out by the end of the Gregorian year.

Among the prominent rabbonim present were Rabbi Chaim Druckman Shlita, Rabbi Yaakov Ariel Shlita, Rabbi Yisrael Ariel Shlita, and Rabbi Zalman Melamed Shlita. Public officials were also in attendance including MK (Likud) Miki Zohar and MK (Bayit Yehudi) Betzalel Smotrich.

The rav of the community of Emanuel, Rabbi Yair Frank opened the event saying “There will not be more destruction of a Jewish community in Eretz Yisrael. We must begin the tikun with Amona. We are here to announced “Eretz Yisrael belongs to Am Yisrael. Enough! We will not move from our place!”

Rabbi Frank read a letter from Rav Shar Yashuv in Gush Katif which says “If chas v’sholom the state destroys shuls, it will be an enormous chilul Hashem…”

Rav Frank warned that the destruction of Amona will be a major mistake, nothing more than destruction for the sake of destruction by the left-wing.

Rabbi Druckman, who heads the Yeshivot Bnei Akiva, explained he was compelled to come to cry out and be heard. He called for finding a way to prevent yet more destruction of communities in Eretz Yisrael by the State of Israel.

Rabbi Yisrael Ariel questioned how there are persons among Am Yisrael wishing to uproot homes from “Derech HaAvot”, then speaking about how he was among those evicted from Yamit. He warned “We already saw mesirus nefesh at Amona along with bloodshed. Amona has become a symbol”.

Rabbi Zalman Melamed quoted Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook saying at the Kosel “We have returned home and we will not budge from here”. The main error of governments throughout history is not deciding all of Eretz Yisrael including Yehuda and Shomron belongs to the State of Israel”.

Rav Melamed added “while the nations will not like it, we are commanded not to fear them and the Torah prohibits us to fear the nations. They have different means to apply pressure; political, economic and diplomatic. However, the Torah commands us not to be afraid. If we aren’t afraid, then as a result there will be less intimidations”.

Rabbi Melamed then spoke of the removal of the Ulpana neighborhood of Beit El three years ago, explaining the government must understand “We are against destruction but we lack the koach to stand up to the High Court ruling but we have decided from here on in, things would be different. This will be the basis for our agreement that there would not be active resistance. This pertains specifically to Amona”.

He reminded those present that Ministers Erdan and Elkin promised him in the name of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to build 300 housing units in exchange for agreeing to leave the Ulpana neighborhood but this has not happened. “When I make a promise I keep my word” explaining Rabbi Melamed. He blames PM Netanyahu for holding up the construction.

Rabbi Melamed then turned to the dati leumi party in Knesset, Bayit Yehudi, calling on the party to refrain from voting with the government coalition until such time legislation is introduced to circumvent the High Court ruling and prevent the destruction of Amona.

Rabbi Yaakov Ariel also spoke, calling on lawmakers to legislate a law that will circumvent the High Court and prevent the destruction and removal of Jews from their homes.

MK Smotrich stated that a government that brings about such destruction will not last. He expressed criticism against the High Court ruling, which he insists is contrary to the will of the nation.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)