Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) host Razi Barkai on Tuesday morning dedicated a respectable portion of his show to the stepped-up efforts of the Interior Ministry’s Ohz unit, which is focused on rounding up and expelling illegal foreigners.

The unit is operating in many areas, and as a result, there are now an increased number of illegal aliens awaiting deportation, or in some cases, the situation is increasingly complicated since some or many have given birth, and there are now children, in some cases attending schools and integrated into society.

There are varying opinions concerning the foreigners, who in many cases provide essential care for the infirmed, while permitting them to remain together with children, who are integrated into the nation’s schools and cultural scene is a recipe for increased intermarriage chas v’sholom. Others insist we owe them a dept and the Jewish State must act morally and take their family situation into consideration.

The point of this article however is not to address the above issues, but to point out that it is noteworthy this topic was hosted on the show on the very same day the former residents of Gaza’s illustrious communities are planning a memorial, marking four years since the government of Ariel Sharon expelled them from their homes and uprooted their communities. Thousands are expected to attend the Tuesday evening event, scheduled to get underway at about 5:30pm in the Kissufim Crossing area. Some of the speakers will include former residents of Gush Katif, many still in a state of absorption stage so to speak, in a perpetual refugee status, lacking a permanent community, home or gainful employment.

As they remember their former lives, the government is working in earnest preparing for the next expulsion, this time over 20 outposts situated throughout Yehuda and Shomron, a move demanded by US President Barak Obama who continues to pressure Jerusalem to adopt to his demands, which contradict Israel’s security interests as well as interfering with planned construction which is critical to accommodate young couples and the natural growth factor in many communities.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)