Cohen family, Katif
צילום: רוני סופר
Terror victim slams government
Katif settler Itzik Cohen, who was critically wounded when a terrorist stabbed him, says, 'I hope a message of love comes out of Katif today." His wife, Anat, told the evacuating forces: We've been through a tough time, waiting for you to knock on our doorstep. Yet, we've decided to accept you lovingly
Itzik Cohen was critically injured 11 years ago when terrorists attacked him with a knife in a Katif settlement greenhouse. He faced the terrorists single-handedly, killing one and wounding another before he was rushed to a hospital.
He told Ynet, "Today, I feel much worse. An evil government is banishing me, my wife and our five children from our home. The decision was made in a most inappropriate manner."
Cohen is known as a courageous man. As security officer of the Katif settlement, which was evacuated Sunday, he was first to arrive at scenes of attacks. When the decision to pullout of Gaza was made, Cohen coordinated the IDF's entry into the settlement and collected all the weapons from the residents.
"My family and I believe in love. That's our motto. I hope that will be the message of Katif," he said.
At noon, all Katif's residents gathered in the settlement's synagogue for a last prayer and goodbye. An hour earlier, Cohen led the military unit assigned with evacuating his family through his home.
"Minister Matan Vilnai was the IDF Southern Command Head at the time of the stabbing. He visited me at the hospital and commended me for fighting the terrorists. I remembered this today because it is difficult to understand how the government rewards those who fought for it and paid with their blood."
