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Gush Katif evacuees
Photo: Amir Cohen
Yaron London

Why I signed the petition

Yaron London explains why he backs call for resolution of Gaza evacuees' plight

I joined those who signed the petition calling on the government to put an end to the difficulties Gush Katif evacuees have been forced to endure since the disengagement from Gaza.

 

Several publicists who opposed the disengagement viewed this petition as a self-righteous attempt at redemption for the sin of expulsion, and several publicists from the enemy camp criticized those who signed the petition for their support in granting benefits to those who took part in the repression and exploitation of Palestinians.

 

I feel a need to explain to both parties why I felt the need to sign the petition, an act I have never done before, because fortunately, I have a platform at my disposal which I can use to convey my views. The exception to the rule stems from my sense that this is an irregular case.

 

I am of the opinion that the State must grant the Gaza evacuees whatever is required so that their standard of living will equal what it was prior to the evacuation. This stance has nothing to with my views regarding settlements in the Gaza Strip or with my views regarding the settlers' conduct before and during the evacuation process.

 

I believed then, as I do now, that the establishment of settlements in Gaza was a bitter mistake, because making a living on the backs of low paid Palestinian workers was reminiscent of a colonial act, and the settlers' disregard for the will of the State was a sin. Their leaders threatened a violent revolution and punished those who followed them by exacerbating the rehabilitation process.

 

More evacuations to come

Nonetheless, I see myself as responsible for the decisions taken by the Israeli government, which initiated the building of these settlements throughout the years and showered them with love and substantial finances. The settlers should not be held solely accountable for the decisions of governments that throughout the years of occupation were supported by the majority of the population. Even if we grant evacuees numerous benefits, we shall not be able to restore what they have lost.

 

The willingness to bear collective responsibility is one of the most intelligent points in civic law. Even if we have to be punished for the government's foolish and criminal decisions, we must not be allowed to say that we are not part of it.

 

I am offering this stance to Israelis, just as I am presenting it to our Palestinian neighbors: The fact that many of them deny the wisdom of their leadership does not relieve the entire Palestinian population of punishment. They are not a captive population, and neither are we. We possess, just as they do, an opportunity to shape our leadership. Full responsibility is placed on both peoples, even if they fail in electing their leaders.

 

The majority of Israeli citizens realize that disengagement from Gaza is not the last chapter in our separation from territories captured in 1967. Sooner or later the territory between the sea and Jordan will be partitioned in a way that will lead to additional evacuees. We shall be dammed if we don't, but the price will be hefty, and we shall have to divide such a cost equally.

 

Internalizing the notion that we do not shirk our commitment towards those who erred and were mislead is of great importance to the level of obedience that will be demonstrated by those destined to be evacuated from their homes in the future, but this is not the essence.

 

The essence lies in the need for national solidarity that does not permit us to shirk responsibility for our own people.

 


פרסום ראשון: 02.25.07, 20:19
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