Evacuees not in party mood
Some evacuees stay away from Independence Day celebrations; people are broken, says ex-Gazan. Meanwhile, yeshiva students celebrate in Jerusalem holding both orange and Israeli flags; 'it's our country and we have no other place in the world,' one student says
Although all residents were invited to attend the event, many decided to boycott the party as a result of what they characterized as a deep grudge on the occasion of the national holiday.
At the same time, yeshiva students celebrated with mixed feelings near Jerusalem's Mount Herzl, holding both Israeli flags and orange flags that symbolize the settlers' struggle.
At the entrance to the celebration site in Nitzan one could see Israeli flags alongside many orange flags bearing the message: "We will build again. We'll remember and be back."
Dozens of yeshiva youths were brought to the site to boost morale, but their mission apparently proved to be a failure. Former Gaza resident Hanita Leibovitch explained: "This Independence holiday is different for us. It's the first one we're celebrating after being evicted from our homes. The atmosphere here is difficult; people are broken, physically and mentally."
Old Neve Dekalim sign – some settlers expect to be back in Gaza (Photo: Amir Cohen)
Another former settler, Reuven Bachar, added: "This is not independence for us. People here are despaired. It's difficult to see them happy on such day because of the evacuation and everything that has happened."
Former Gazan Shlomo Sultan and Avihu Papo also said this Independence Day was different than past celebrations.
"When we celebrated in Gush Katif, we had happiness and faith. It was something special, because we were engaged in building the country. But unfortunately they expelled us from there," they said. "We still believe we'll get to celebrate Independence Day in Gush Katif."
'We have no other place'
Meanwhile in Jerusalem, dozens of yeshiva students and rabbis gathered near Mount Herzl, where the official ceremony was held, and danced while holding both Israeli and orange flags. However, one student stood to the side and did not join the dancing, instead choosing to wear a black shirt reading: "We won't forget and forgive – Gush Katif."
Yeshiva students celebrate (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
The other students, however, were singing songs of praise to Israel and to Gush Katif. Rabbi Moshe Tvizer told Ynet: "It's not a paradox. On the one hand there is great faith in the State, but on the other hand there's faith that crises can be fixed and much patience is needed."
"God willing, there will be a change of positions in the State of Israel and this change can be created using democratic tools," he said. "The kids are very happy but are also very much in pain, because there are kids here who used to live in Gush Katif."
Last Saturday, all Judea and Samaria rabbis made sure to stress in leaflets handed out in synagogue that Independence Day must be celebrated despite the Gaza and northern West Bank pullout.
Yeshiva student and former Gaza resident Baruch Shomron said the celebration was not an easy one.
"This is certainly painful and on this day everyone is thinking about what happened," he said. "But still, this is our country and we have no other place in the world. We have to overcome even if we fall sometimes. We must make sure it never happens again, particularly now, when it's again on the agenda (the convergence plan.)"
Neta Sela contributed to the story
