Retired IDF Major-General Yair Naveh was the army’s Central District commander during 2005, overseeing the expulsion of Jews from northern Shomron areas.

Naveh on Wednesday night expressed some of his views today, as a civilian, speaking on Channel 1 TV’s Press Conference news program.

Naveh stated that today, it is unequivocally clear to all that unilateral policies do not work in this part of the world, stating the disengagement from Gush Katif did not accomplish a thing from a security/defense point of view.

Naveh explained that today, one can easily see the damage as a result of the move, further stating expulsion of residents from yishuvim is a harsh and difficult measure – and in order to achieve peace with our neighbors, this is not the way to go but we must seek creative solutions.

“One does not amputate a hand to save a leg” the senior commander explained, rejecting the concept that the disengagement from Gush Katif prevented future disengagements from Yehuda and Shomron, stating the theory is not a solid one. The expulsion was a “disgrace” he said, expounding on the unacceptable fashion in which the residents were treated and the black stain for the entire State of Israel.

Naveh asks rhetorically how one can be surprised over the current situation, stating “there is no vacuum” and when the IDF was ordered out of Philadelphi Route, it was obvious Hamas would immediately fill that void. Naveh had harsh words for the expulsion, for the government’s disregard for the former Gush Katif residents, and questions the value in the implementation of the unilateral policy which has brought Gaza to a today’s realities, presenting an unprecedented security threat to Israel.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)