Another right on the mark article from Rachel Saperstein, formerly of Neve Dekalim;
Excerpts:
“There is a good deal of worry about our children. Children who once viewed our soldiers with reverence now see the soldier as an enemy who can readily throw them out of their homes. You can no longer trust a soldier, or a policeman, or a member of the Knesset, or a prime minister. Each engenders fear. One is left with a sense of helplessness.”
” … I am traumatized and my body shakes as I relive, every night, my expulsion by the Israeli army and the Israeli police.”
“Our religious young men see their lives in ruin, their beliefs shattered. There have been seven suicides among religious soldiers who participated in the expulsion. They could not live with their act, an act against their own people. The army has had to quietly inform soldiers that psychological help was available for soldiers still traumatized. ”
“Many of our young men who were in officers training courses have walked away from careers in the army. Many of our youngsters are questioning whether to join the army at all. Perhaps, jail would be a better solution. Hundreds of reserve soldiers were whisked away one night to be placed in detention because they refused to respond to the pre-expulsion call-up. Now, they were being punished for their stand, even those who had sought and received permission from superior officers not to respond.”
“Many of us no longer pick up hitch-hiking soldiers and police. One friend says she asks if the hitchhiker participated in the expulsion. A ‘yes’ means no ride. Many people who maintain the round-the-clock Welcome Wagon for soldiers are today questioning their service and kindness to soldiers who might well forcefully evict them from their homes.”
Commentary;
This author can identify with re-evaluation of how we heretofore viewed Israeli soldiers. Fresh in mind is the jaundiced eye with which this author viewed soldiers in Chevron during a Shabbos there, and now generally views any Israeli soldier, kippoted or not; Did he or didn’t he expell his fellow Jews from their homes?
This author has written on this subject, the texts can be viewed here and here. MB
Gush Katif Chabad Emissary Told He Won’t Be Compensated
Excerpts;
“The rabbi who ran the Chabad House in N’vei Dekalim was informed this week that he and his family will not be receiving compensation for their eviction and the demolition of their home.”
“Rabbi Yigal Kirshenzaft received a letter this week from the Disengagement Authority informing him that his family is not eligible for compensation, with out further explanation offered.”
“Just several weeks prior to the expulsion, Kirshenzaft was hit in the neck by shrapnel from a Kassam rocket and wounded in his back and stomach. He recovered quickly and went on to be a vocal leader of the struggle against the Disengagement.”
“The rabbi told a Chabad web site that this [his vocal leadership] is the only possible reason for the ‘Expulsion Authority’ to refuse to reimburse his family for what was taken from them.”