Heads of the Yesha Council praised Sunday's government decision not to destroy Gush Katif synagogues before pulling the army out of Gaza, saying "Jewish spirit managed to breach the hermetic wall surrounding the hearts of government ministers."
"The synagogues will form the base of a renewed settlement movement and will once again become active prayer houses," they said.
In addition to Yesha Council officials, MK Zevulun Orlev (National Religious Party) also praised the decision, saying, "The Jewish spark has won out over the cynicism of government ministers. Even a broken clock is correct twice a day.
"The government acted out of selfish political considerations, and reversed its decision because it feared the anger of the public," he said.
International reprecussions
Ashkneazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger also praised the decision, saying the decision not to destroy synagogues would have international repercussions, because other countries would not use the decision to destroy former synagogues in Europe, Russia and throughout the Arab world.
Metzger also appealed to the Palestinians not to destroy the structures.
"I call on the Palestinian leadership to do all in its power to preserve Jewish holy sites so they are not desecrated," he said.
Hendel: Who knows?
National Union MK Tzvi Hendel said, "Who knows? Maybe if there had been another debate about whether or not to expel thousands of Jews from their homes, reason would have prevailed and that 'Jewish feeling' would have been raised amongst government ministers.
"It turns out, after all, that they are capable if changing their 'principled' stances in a short time," he said.
Sarid: rabbinate desecrates God's name
But MK Yossi Sarid (Meretz-Yahad) said, "This government, that destroyed 1,500 homes and lives, but doesn't want to destroy 40 former synagogues – we can only say, 'Can you possible destroy, and then look away?"
"The people who refuse to destroy synagogues knowing, or perhaps intending, that others will destroy them – they are the ones who desecrate God's name.
"The government's decision is nothing more than a political provocation. It has nothing at all in common with the holy ones of Israel."