Jewish Perspectives

rowning in Numbers On August 22, 2005, the 19 Jewish communities in Gaza had been completely evacuated. Twenty four hours later, the evacuation of four communities in Northern Samaria had been completed as well. A year after disengagement, 1,667 families who were evacuated from Gaza are dispersed all over Israel. There are 490 families living in the Nitzan temporary housing site, of whom 224 were evacuated from Neve Dekalim, 90 from Nissanit, 34 from Bedolach and 34 from Gedid. There are 170 evacuee families in Ashkelon, mostly from Nissanit and Kfar Darom. 1,405 families have remained within their original community structure. 53 families from Atzmona live in Kibbutz Shomria, whose original residents left 6 months ago. As of July, there were still 91 families living in temporary facilities such as hotels, tent camps and guest houses. 15 of these families were in Jerusalem hotels. According to the Sela (relocation) Authority, 4,697 claims have been submitted by Gush Katif refugees for personal grants and compensation for homes, businesses and farms. In 89% of the cases, a decision has been reached as to compensation and in 80% of the cases some compensation has been paid. 164 farmers submitted claims for loss of farms but only 26% of them received any compensation. 436 claims were submitted for loss of businesses. In 82% of the cases a decision was reached and in 45% of the cases some level of payment was issued. So far, payments totaling 1.87 billion shekel have been paid. According to the Gush Katif Committee, 51% of the refugees of working age are unemployed. According to those same figures, the unemployment rate in Nitzan is 70%. Only 150 of the 700 business owners, or only 21%, have reopened their businesses. Before the evacuation, 30% of the Gush Katif families were employed in agriculture. Only 9.5% of these families are now employed in agriculture. Gush Katif farmers who settled in the Eshkol region recently planted a citron grove on 25 acres of land. The first harvest of this fruit is expected in 3 years. In addition, a greenhouse for growing organic peppers is being planned on 30 acres of land in Halutza, for export to Europe. It replaces a greenhouse of 15 acres that was in Gush Katif and was taken apart before the evacuation. Approximately 1,000 refugees, including the students at the Atzmona Pre-Military Academy, are living in the moshav settlements of Yevul and Yated in the Shalom region (near the Egyptian border). They are waiting for the completion of their permanent homes in the new communities Halutzit 1 and Halutzit 4. Approximately 3,400 students and teen- agers from Gush Katif will be starting school next week. 762 teen-agers in grades 9-12 are spread across 94 different schools. The Gush Katif Committee reports that there is hidden truancy of 30% among the high-school students – students who are registered in school but actually never show up. Since Disengagement, 736 Kassam rockets have been fired at Israel from Gaza, as well as 122 mm Katyusha rockets. Five months after Disengagement, elections were held in the Palestinian Authority. Hamas won 76 seats in the parliament. Fatah won only 43. Courtesy of Menachem Sofer, Maariv. I want to show my support to the Gush Katif Refugees! Free Chocolate for IDF Soldiers You send an encouraging message and we'll deliver your message along with chocolate, compliments of CFOIC. Help us Support Our Soldiers by getting as many people as you know to send a message of support to the brave men and women serving in the Israeli Defense Forces. Visit the CFOIC S.O.S. Campaign Website... Israel Under Siege Now is the time to show our support for the people of Israel. Please view this moving presentation and share it with your friends. View the "Israel Under Siege" Presentation... It's Not Too Late to Support Samaria! Many families find themselves not only in physical danger due to the violence but in a precarious financial situation, as well, due to unemployment. For many, the situation is so dire that they do not know where their next meal will come from. In some cases the main breadwinner is out of work or disabled; in others, a major illness has forced the family to spend its last shekel on medical bills. Go to our website and read more about how this community is supporting those who have also been on Israel's frontlines against terror. Help the Samaria Family Assistance Program...