Four years after the government’s expulsion of the Gush Katif Jewish community, a number of families find themselves living in tents near the land plots where their homes are to be built in Moshav Bustan in the Galil.

“Ariel Sharon promised a solution for every person. Today this is not the case for about 70% of us. That’s the bottom line” stated one of the former Gaza residents of Nisanit.

Four years ago, the group of 25 families who decided not to fight the expulsion opted to head north, as a unit, to remain together. The group includes former residents of Dugit, Nisanit and Rafiach Yam from northern Gaza. They speak of bureaucratic problems that now dictate their lifestyle. Minister (Bayit HaYehudi) Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz, who heads the committee addressing the needs of the former Gaza and N. Shomron residents, visited the group in their Galil community on Thursday.

Avishai Bar-Yehuda, who represented the group, told the minister that the government simply is not true to its word regarding permanent housing and employment. He explained most of the families are of the age that they can no longer find jobs, explaining they only seek a home and to be left in peace and quiet, but it appears this is not to be.

Hershkowitz stated that four years after the expulsion, seeing so many people without homes and jobs is simply a disgrace. He told the group that he changed his plans in order to visit with them and hear what they have to say first hand, promising to raise the matter when the committee meets later this week. The minister promised “intensive efforts” until he knows the last of the evictees is in his permanent home.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)