No special treatment!

I disagree with the author's analysis. Yes, Gaza has become a launching pad for rocket attacks, but how many casualties have we really sufferd? Before the withdrawal, there were weekly reports of attacks on settlers and army bases, with killed and wounded on a regular basis. The idea was stategic: to pull back to clear lines that could be defended, instead of having to deploy one unit here, and another unit there in order to protect settlers, with no cohesion in defensive lines. So, yes, rockets are fired and it is unacceptable. However there are no longer suicide bombers or tunnels underneath army bases etc. All that aside, I agree wholeheartedly with the author, that the government has been criminally remiss about rehabilitating those who were evacuated from Gaza. As soon as it was out of the headlines, they were forgotten. It is the responsibiluty of all of us to help them resurrect their lives, regardless of their political outlook.

"victim", to remember and honor our obilgations to these people. Also to the two, almost unmentioned protesters, that during that time ended their lives exactly the way Silman did. Only they were really protesting!

I am truly humbled by your story and sigh with sadness at the fate of your fellow Gush Katif settlers. I cannot imagine what you go through every time the news talks of more rockets being fired from Gaza.But as a life coach I am sure you have good tools to serve those in need. A remarkable and sensitive,moving article that we as Israelis and even the world should pause for a moment to grasp the magnitude of the mistake that was made by the removal of such fine citizens from their homes. May Hashem grant you guidance and success in all your endeavours,

The author is correct but he doesn't go far enough. We need not only to assure the victims of all evacuations are properly compensated for the mass violation of their rights. We need to admit that every single Israeli retreat is an absolute disaster. We need to commit to permanently ending Israeli retreat and retaking all our abandoned lands.

Exactly so !!!

Stop moaning, whining and bleating already! You received compensation for your exploits in the illegal settlement enterprise, your mortgages were paid off and you were re-housed. Your income tax holiday is now finished - tough luck! Now you will just have to pay tax like the rest of us and even live in an apartment instead of a house. OY VAY!! Why for even one minute should a miluimnik put his life on the line to defend your stupid settlements eh?

I cannot believe the author of comments 1&2 has a Jewish heart. The Temples were destroyed because of Sin'at chinam, baseless hatred. On what basis do you despise those expelled from Gush Katif? What vile behavior are you talking about? These were peaceful law-abiding citizens who were encouraged to settle there by your government, including left-wing administrations. They were not justly compensated, and were basically dumped all over the country and turned into homeless people. Some continued to pay out mortgages on homes that had been deliberately destroyed, yet the govt did not take over their mortgages. These are honest hard-working people. Not hilltop youth, draft dodgers, or Chareidim.. I have no words to describe how shameful your comments are. Have an easy fast, if you can live with yourself.

...one of the most densely populated areas in the world, amidst about 1.1 million Palestinians.

The largest open-air prison.

#13. You are mixing up the symptom with the cause. Gaza is the world's largest open air prison (and a major terrorist controlled entity) BECAUSE of Israel's lunatic retreat from Gaza. Had Israel retained Gaza forever; virtually none of the Gaza problems would ever have occurred. Every single Israeli retreat is an unmitigated disaster. End lunatic Israeli retreats and end most of Israel's worst problems.

Softening the blow by using neutral terms like a "blemish of errors" and "bitter chapter" reduce the meaning and effects of our Expulsion from Gush Katif. . The expulsion will be a dark chapter without closure until Jews repopulate the Gush Katif area.

The families evicted from their homes and farms suffered mentally and physically. I truly pitied them. What have we gained by taking such action ?

The left has dreams of "evacuating" at least 20 times the number evacuated from Gaza and northern Samaria. If Israel couldn't handle the reintegration of some 10,000 in 2005 back to within the Green Line, what makes anyone think Israel could handle (or afford) doing likewise to over 200,000?

If you want to know what life was like in Gush Katif, read "Grains of Sand." It took me on a journey back to a world of wonder and beauty, forever memorialized and celebrated.