See Below for Experts/Contacts Available to Speak about Israel's Disengagement from Gaza
Just two years ago, Israel evacuated all 9,000 Israelis living in Gaza and four northern West Bank communities in an effort to pave the way for peace and a future Palestinian state. During the disengagement, Israel uprooted entire communities including schools, businesses, places of worship and the only Jewish cemetery there.
The only Israeli still in the Gaza Strip today is Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped while patrolling the Israeli side of the Gaza border June 25, 2006. He was forcibly taken by the Iran-backed terrorist groups Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's violent militant wing; the Al-Nasir Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC); and The Army of Islam. [1]
In return for this painful sacrifice, which Israel carried out Aug. 15, 2005, Gaza has been converted into a launching pad for rockets. Since the withdrawal, more than 1,500 Qassam rockets have been fired into Israel's southern Negev region. The attacks have killed six civilians and injured hundreds more and hit areas where Gaza evacuees were relocated. [2]
Iran-backed Hamas has been chiefly responsible for the Qassam attacks, but other Palestinian militant groups also have taken credit, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Fatah party's Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and the Popular Resistance Committees. These groups, along with Hamas, have continued to launch Qassam rockets and mortars at Israel on an almost daily basis since disengagement. During a particularly violent period -- May 15 to May 31, 2007 -- more than 300 Qassam rockets were launched from Gaza at Israel. [3]
Israelis aren't the only victims of the Hamas leadership that Palestinians voted into power in Jan. 2006. Just last week, on Aug. 7, 2007, a Qassam rocket aimed at Israel misfired, killing two Palestinian children and injuring seven more. [4]
After Hamas was elected to run the Palestinian Authority government, infighting among the Palestinian people increased. According to the Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights, more than 600 Palestinians have been killed in infighting since Hamas's rise to power. [5] Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the European Union, [6] the United States, [7] Israel, [8] Canada [9] and Australia, [10] openly seeks Israel's destruction.
Overall, Palestinian internal violence has dramatically increased in the past two years. During the first seven months of 2007 alone, 415 Palestinians were killed, including 28 children, and another 2,022 Palestinians were injured - all at the hands of other Palestinians. [11]
By contrast, during all of 2006, 148 Palestinians died at the hands of other Palestinians. That included 12 children and another 871 who were injured. [12]
Israel's Gaza Evacuees
Gaza's Jewish residents have faced great economic and psychological hardship since being uprooted from their homes and communities:
-
Roughly 85 percent of families from Gaza's former Gush Katif settlement continue to live in temporary housing scattered over 20 different locations around Israel. [13]
-
As many as 37 percent of evacuees are currently unemployed, according to SELA, the Israeli governmental organization created to handle disengagement.
-
Family incomes have plummeted 40 percent according to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. [14]
Since Hamas took over Gaza by force in mid June 2007, the Iran-backed terrorist group has consolidated its military and Islamic authority over the Palestinian people. Examples of Hamas's militarily growth include:
-
Importing sophisticated technological weapons into the Gaza Strip; [15]
-
Smuggling in more than 20 tons of explosives; [16]
-
Increasing militant manpower to 13,000; [17]
-
Sending more than 20 militants to Iran for training and instructing 400 more in Gaza; [18]
-
Creating a naval guard force. [19]
Examples of Hamas's Islamic authority include:
-
Banning "all demonstrations and public gatherings" that do not have special permission and beating up protestors; [20]
-
Ordering the closure of popular television programs that portrayed the problematic situation in Gaza; [21]
-
Kidnapping a Christian professor from Palestine University in Gaza City, Ana al-Sayegh, forcing her to convert to Islam and forging a marriage between her and a Muslim man; [22]
-
Forbidding women to wear bathing suits to swim in a Gaza hotel pool, even on days designated for women only; [23]
-
Shutting down a coffee shop where men and women sat together, sometimes touching; [24]
-
Producing a children's television show in which a Mickey Mouse clone named Farfur came under international criticism for conveying messages about Islamic supremacy as well as hatred of Jews and Israel. The pressure to change or shut down the program led Hamas to produce a show in which Farfur was killed off by an actor posing as an Israeli who appeared to beat him to death. Farfur is regarded as a martyr in the episode. [25] He was replaced by a bee character who says he will "…continue on the path of Farfur, the path of Islam is the solution. The path of heroism, the path of martyrdom, the path of jihad warriors. In the name of Farfur, we shall take revenge on the enemies of Allah, the murderers of the prophets, the murderers of innocent children, until Al-Aksa will be liberated from their filth."
Concerning the security threat posed by the current situation in the Gaza Strip, former IDF intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Aharon Ze'evi Farkash said, "When we prepared for the disengagement, we mentioned all the scenarios for what might happen in the Strip, including the possibility of a 'Hamastan'." [26]
Gaza U.N. Pre-and Post-Disengagement Map
(Click for enlarged PDF of map)
The Gaza Evacuees Two Years Later: Paying the Price for Peace
Two years since Israel carried out its Gaza disengagement plan, the nearly 9,000 Israeli residents who were living in the region continue to suffer from immense psychological, physical and economic distress.
Psychologically:
-
Gush Katif evacuees, subject to continuing financial and social difficulties, are increasingly seeking mental and emotional support; [27]
-
The youth of Gush Katif are at greater risk, living in an environment of uncertainty and social and communal instability that has impaired their scholastic education, with some even dropping out of school; [28]
-
The divorce rate of Gaza evacuees has noticeably increased. [29]
Physically: [30]
-
Research at the Ashkelon Regional Health Bureau and Ashkelon's Barzilai Medical Center has shown a notable rise in deaths among the evacuees;
-
Their findings also show that former residents are suffering from a significant increase in medical maladies including cancerous growths, heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma attacks.
Economically:
-
Evacuees continue to be affected by a very high rate of unemployment, currently 37 percent (about 1,450 people), according to the SELA Disengagement Authority; [31]
-
The family incomes of former Gaza residents have decreased by 40 percent since the disengagement, according to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry; [32]
-
Of the 180 nonagricultural businesses that once flourished in Gaza's Gush Katif community, evacuees have reopened about 80 of them and most face bankruptcy; [33]
-
Over 500 of the families are in serious financial straits, with many requiring support of welfare agencies and food packages; [38]
-
Due to the high rate of unemployment, many of the families are forced to use their state compensation funds for daily expenses rather than to build a house, as was intended. [39]
Housing:
-
85 percent of Gush Katif families, or 1,405 out of a total of 1,667, continue to live in temporary housing sites scattered over 20 different locations around Israel; [40]
-
The construction of permanent residences has barely begun. Fewer than 1 percent of evacuees having begun construction, resulting in a total of 12 houses. [41]
Experts and Relevant Contacts Available for Journalists Relating to Israel's Disengagement from Gaza:
Shmuel Bar, Director of Studies at the Institute for Policy and Strategy at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel. Specializes in the Arab-Israel Conflict and Peace Process, radical Islam, terrorism and regional politics.
Tel.: 972-9-7493060; 972-9-7493366; cell: 972-52-880-5956; email: Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript.; Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript.
Hillel Frisch , Senior Lecturer in Political Studies and Middle East History, Senior Research Fellow at the Began-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA) at Bar-Ilan University, Israel. Specializes in the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Palestinian and Islamic politics and Palestinian statehood.
Tel.: 972-3-640-7719; cell: 972-54-548-5909; email: Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript.
Mordechai Kedar , Lecturer in Arabic at Bar-Ilan University. Served for 25 years in IDF Military Intelligence specializing in Arab political discourse, Arab mass media, Islamic groups and the Syrian domestic arena. He is also an expert on Israeli Arabs.
Tel.: 972-03-531-8073; cell: 972-54-477-8908; email: Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript.
Meir Litvak , Senior Lecturer in Middle Eastern History and a Research Fellow at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University. He specializes in political trends in the Arab world, radical Islam and Palestinian Islamic movements, and their political participation in the PA government.
Tel.: 972-3-640-7404; cell: 972-54-760-9115; email: Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript.
Gerald M. Steinberg , Professor of Political Science at Bar-Ilan University, Senior Research Associate at BESA and Director of Bar Ilan's graduate program in Conflict and Diplomacy. He specializes in Arab-Israeli affairs, strategic and military affairs, conflict resolution and diplomacy.
Tel.: 972-3-531-8043; email: Адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. Для просмотра адреса в вашем браузере должен быть включен Javascript.; Web site: http://faculty.biu.ac.il/~steing/index.shtml
Footnotes
[1] Ross, Gabe, "Israeli rabbi calls on Gaza Muslims to protect captive Israeli soldier," The Associated Press , June 25, 2006
[2] Report by the Israel Defense Force Spokesman's Office, Aug. 8 2007
[3] "Sderot hit by Kassam barrage from Gaza," Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Web site, June 1, 2007, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+t
o+Peace/Palestinian+terror+since+2000/Sderot+h
it+by+Kassam+barrage+from+Gaza+-+May+2007.htm
[4] Issacharoff, Avi and The Associated Press , "Qassam rocket fired at Israel kills two children in Gaza Strip," Haaretz, Aug. 7, 2007, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/890791.html
[5] Kfir, Isaac and Adam E. Stahl, "Hamas: A Gun in One Hand, a Qu'ran in the Other," The Interdisciplinary Center, Herzilya, July 2007, http://www.ict.org.il/apage/14683.php
[6] "Council Decision," Council of the European Union, Dec. 21, 2005
[7] "Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)," U.S. Department of State Web site, Oct. 11, 2005, accessed Jan. 18, 2007, http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/fs/37191.htm
[8] Wilson, Scott, "Hamas Sweeps Palestinian Elections, Complicating Peace Efforts in Mideast," The Washington Post , Jan. 27, 2006, accessed Jan. 18, 2006,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/articl
e/2006/01/26/AR2006012600372.html
[9] Public Security and Emergency Preparedness Canada, National Security, Listed entities, accessed Jan. 18, 2007, http://www.psepc.gc.ca/prg/ns/le/cle-en.asp#hhi18
[10] "Listing of Terrorist Organisations-Hamas's Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades" Australian Government Attorney-General's Department Web site, Jan. 17, 2006, accessed Jan. 18, 2007, http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/agd/www/nationalsecurity.ns
f/AllDocs/CADAB9AC4723C526CA256FCD001BA892?OpenDocument
[11] Kfir, Isaac and Adam E. Stahl, "Hamas: A Gun in One Hand, a Qu'ran in the Other," The Interdisciplinary Center, Herzilya, July 2007, http://www.ict.org.il/apage/14683.php
[12] "OCHA-oPt Protection of Civilians: Summary of data tables," United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Aug. 2007, http://www.ochaopt.org/documents
/PoC%20Monthly%20tables%20and%20terminology%20notes_July2007.pdf
[13] "22 months without a home," Gush Katif Committee Special Report, Friends of Gush Katif Web site, May 2007, http://www.katifund.org/upload/mazav%20%20eng2.pdf
[14] Eglash, Ruth and Pollack, Ahinoam, The Jerusalem Post, Aug. 1, 2007,
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1185893685584&p
agename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
[15] Harel, Amos, "IDF: Hamas is smuggling high-tech arms into Gaza," Haaretz, July 19, 2007, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/883953.html
[16] Ibid.
[17] "Israeli radio: Israel contemplating major offensive against Hamas in Gaza Strip," Ma'an News Agency, July 19, 2007, http://maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=24119
[18] Ibid.
[19] "The interior ministry announced formation of a new naval guard force," Izzedeen al-Qassam Brigades Web site, Aug. 9, 2007, http://www.alqassam.ps/english/?action=showdetail&fid=576
[20] "Hamas militiamen beat up Gaza protestors," The Associated Press via The Wall Street Journal, Aug. 13, 2007, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118701300326
395923.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
[21] Abu Toameh, Khaled, "Hamas bans popular TV talk show," The Jerusalem Post, Aug. 1, 2007, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&
cid=1185893691489&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
[22] Abu Tomeh, Khaled, "Hamas forced professor to convert," The Jerusalem Post, Aug. 5, 2007, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=11860663
87589&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
[23] Issacharoff, Avi and Amos Harel, "Gaza vs. West Bank /Yet another last chance," Haaretz, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/882104.html
[24] Ibid.
[25] Marcus, Itamar and Barbara Crook, "Hamas TV Mickey Mouse beaten to death by Israeli - becomes Martyr in final episode," Palestinian Media Watch, July 1, 2007,
http://pmw.org.il/bulletins_jul2007.htm#b010707
[26] Greenberg, Hanan, "IDF officials warn of Gaza threat," YnetNews, Aug. 12, 2007, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3436609,00.html
[27] "22 months without a home," Gush Katif Committee Special Report, Friends of Gush Katif Web site, May 2007, http://www.katifund.org/upload/mazav%20%20eng2.pdf
[28] Ibid.
[29] Eglash, Ruth and Pollack, Ahinoam, "Two years after Gush Katif, evacuees are still suffering," The Jerusalem Post, Aug. 1, 2007, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=11858
93685584&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
[30] "22 months without a home," Gush Katif Committee Special Report, Friends of Gush Katif Web site, May 2007, http://www.katifund.org/upload/mazav%20%20eng2.pdf
[31] Eglash, Ruth and Pollack, Ahinoam, "Two years after Gush Katif, evacuees are still suffering," The Jerusalem Post, Aug. 1, 2007, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=11858
93685584&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
[32] "22 months without a home," Gush Katif Committee Special Report, Friends of Gush Katif Web site, May 2007, http://www.katifund.org/upload/mazav%20%20eng2.pdf
[33] Ibid.
[34] Ibid.
[35] Shragai, Nadav, "Two years later, Gush Katif evacuees still need housing," Haaretz, June 22, 2007, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/873931.html
[36] Stahl, Julie, "Gaza farmers say government has no plan for them," Christian News Service , April 11, 2005
[37] Shragai, Nadav, "Two years later, Gush Katif evacuees still need housing," Haaretz, June 22, 2007, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/873931.html
[38] Ibid.
[39] Ibid.
[40] "22 months without a home," Gush Katif Committee Special Report, Friends of Gush Katif Web site, May 2007, http://www.katifund.org/upload/mazav%20%20eng2.pdf
[41] Ibid.
The Israel Project is an international non-profit organization devoted to educating the press and the public about
Board of Advisors: Senator Evan Bayh (IN), Senator Saxby Chambliss (GA), Senator Norm Coleman (MN), Senator Ben Nelson (NE), Senator Arlen Specter (PA), Senator Ron Wyden (OR), Congressman Rob Andrews (NJ), Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (NV), Congressman Tom Davis (VA), Congressman Eliot Engel (NY), Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ), Congressman Jon Porter (NV), Congressman Jim Saxton (NJ), Congressman Brad Sherman (CA), Congressman Joe Wilson (SC), Actor and Director Ron Silver