The cost of the government’s 2005 Disengagement Plan, the expulsion and eradication of the Jewish communities of Gaza has to date cost the government NIS 6.6 billion, Sela Disengagement Authority officials told the government during a cabinet meeting this week.

NIS 4.5 billion was allocated for compensatory payment to victims, NIS 2.1 billion to maintain the integrity of the community framework of victims, seeking to learn from the mistakes of the Yamit expulsion. The sum officials explain does not include another NIS 1 billion for the purchase of land used for the expellees.

Sela officials rejected accusations that they did not fairly compensate families, insisting any Gaza family living in the area for at least six years was given a sum of 1,550,000 on the average. There was an additional NIS 185,000 as a result of a decision of MKs as well as a sum between NIS 300,000 – NIS 800,000 as per the agreement to provide funds to ‘duplicate’ one’s life elsewhere.

Gush Katif representatives present at the meeting stated that they would be pleased to return the compensatory payment received by families to date, and in exchange, receive the sums presented to the cabinet, adding, “It is most unfortunate that Sela presents ridiculous statistics to the government”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)