Mass police forces sent to move trailer off Nitzan

Dozens of officers, mounted police sent to secure relocation of single caravilla located at Gaza evacuees' temporary housing site, after previous attempt met resistance. Nitzan residents angered by sights 'reminiscent of pullout'. Police should have exercised sensitivity, says local council head
Shmulik Hadad

Dozens of Lachish Subdistrict Police officers and mounted police were called in to the Nitzan caravilla site on Monday, in order to relocate one single trailer.

The Nitzan caravillas site houses dozens of former Gush Katif families, who moved out of their homes as part of the Gaza pullout plan. Though three years have passed, many of the evacuees still reside in Nitzan, as no permanent housing solution has been found for them.

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The caravilla (a caravan made to look like a villa) in question is supposed to be relocated to a community near the southern city of Netivot, where the family who occupied it will be setting up its new home.

The trailer was supposed to be moved last week, but police forces sent to secure the move met unexpected resistance in the form of a 54-year-old woman who entrenched herself in the empty trailer with her son, in protest of their dire financial situation.

The disputed caravilla (Photo: Amir Cohen)

During the standoff with police forces, the woman unleashed gas into the space, rendering herself and her son unconscious. Emergency medical personal, with the assistance of the police were able to rescue and revive both.

Several days ago, someone tried to set the same caravilla on fire.

An exercise in sensitivity

Last week's events prompted the police to send a large force to secure the relocation, a sight which angered the residents of Nitzan: "This is absolutely terrible. They have more forces here than they had during the pullout," said Aharon Hazit, head of the Gush Katif agricultural union.

"It's taking us back, and I have to wonder why so many resources are being spent on the relocation of one caravilla, when no one is doing anything to help us with our problems. This money could have been spent of helping a lot of families here," he said.

"I was amazed by the sight of all of these troops," said Rabbi Yishai Bar-Chen, the former rabbi of Nisanit and Elei Sinai, which were also evacuated during the pullout. "This country has gone insane. It's just horrible to see all these policemen, just like then, during the evacuation."

The Nitzan caravillas site in under the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council's jurisdiction. Council head Yair Farjun told Ynet that "legally speaking, all the permits are in place, but these sights are difficult, and have created a feeling of deja vu for many. (The police) should have exercised a little more sensitivity."

Lior Kalfa, who is the site's municipal representative, added that "allowing all these troops on the site was a callous decision."

A police statement said that in light of last week's incident, the forces were necessary to secure the premises. According to the police, the caravilla's relocation was uneventful.