Thirteen Percent of Gush Katif Evacuees Still Lack Permanent Housing

Eleven years since Israel evacuated 35 Jewish communities from Gush Katif in Gaza, 180 families, about 13 percent of the 8,000 who were uprooted, are still living in temporary homes, despite government promises to provide them with permanent dwellings.

The figures were presented at the “The Katif Conference” on Monday, which was attended by government ministers, MK’s and other dignitaries.

Agriculture Minister MK Uri Ariel (Jewish Home), who has been tasked with overseeing compensation for the evacuees, told the conference:

“The Jews of Gush Katif have taught us, and continue to teach us, what is national responsibility. National responsibility is to act as they did in Gush Katif, and not to pick up your hand [to strike], and not hurt anyone in the security forces.

“Contrary to allegations, approximately 200 residents were injured in the evacuation, but not a single soldier.

“It is not national responsibility to exile 8,000 people from their homes; that is not the answer of national responsibility. It is national responsibility to say that after we evacuate those people, we go and settle the land. That is national responsibility, and that is the continuation of national responsibility.”

Turning to the current debate over the fate of the outpost community of Amona, Uriel said:

“It is our national responsibility to pass through the Knesset a law to legalize Amona and all [such communities], and not to search out each time a one-time solution,” Ariel said.