(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

An exciting and historic visit to the Gush Katif Museum was made by Chief Rabbi of Israel HaRav Dovid Lau, marking 13 years since the expulsion known as the Disengagement Plan and the destruction of 30 shuls R”L in Gush Katif.

Rabbi Lau toured all the sections of the museum and lit a candle in memoriam. The rav commented on the difficult situation in southern Israel today, which many feel is the direct result of the expulsion of the Jewish communities. He stated, “It’s sad that the situation has not changed. This is one of the scourges of the State of Israel. People who committed themselves and they built, and at the end, they left the people in their situation and this is a disgrace and shame. I am here and again feeling the pain and feeling of those days. People who have lost everything they have, nevertheless, they got up and built settlements and the spirit continues.”

Rabbi Lau recounted with pain the days when he accompanied the deportees on the eve of the disengagement from Gush Katif, and today everyone sees the results of the uprooting.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Photo Credit: מוזיאון גוש קטיף בירושלים‎ )