A Decade Since the Disengagement Plan: New Testimonies

20th of Av, 5765. Days have passed since the merciless expulsion from the Gush Katif settlements. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, zt'l, was secluded in his room in pain. Rabbi Shmuel Tal of Netzarim asked him a halachic question regarding the temporary accommodations for the displaced residents of Gush Katif in hotels. After offering a halachic response, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt'l gave them words of comfort and encouragement.

In his remarks, Rabbi Yosef zt'l recounted a story of a Jewish man living on the lower floor of a building, above whom resided a non-Jew. A fire broke out, destroying the building completely. While the non-Jew lamented his lost possessions, the Jewish man showed indifference, calmly smoking a cigarette. Onlookers inquired about his reaction, to which the non-Jew said, 'My god burned, how could I not cry?' Rabbi Yosef summed up his story, “They expelled us from our land, and our Temple has been destroyed. The Shechina is in exile. We suffer as a result, but we can find solace in knowing that Hashem will not abandon His people."

This story was recounted in a conversation with 'Yom LeYom,' by Rabbi Eliyahu Shitrit, zt'l's trusted editor.

"On the 5th of Tevet 5766," Rabbi Shitrit continued, "when rumors spread that Prime Minister Sharon, the architect of the disengagement, had died, Rabbi Yosef commented, 'He was overconfident. How many homes of widows and orphans did he destroy?'"

Our interviewees noted that Rabbi Yosef's overall stance on the settlements in the Gaza strip was a separate issue without explicit statements. This piece focuses on his empathy for every Jew's suffering. It should be noted, however, that Rabbi Yosef participated in a cornerstone-laying ceremony for the educational institution 'Yamit' situated in Neve Dekalim decades prior.

The Unhealed Wound

A decade has passed since the removal of Gush Katif in Av 5765, yet the wound remains unhealed. The chaos it caused, especially in hearts, is far from mending. The devastation of Gush Katif has become historical, synonymous with a third Temple's destruction. For those expelled, it’s a wound that will bleed for years.

They were not alone. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt'l carried them in his compassionate heart. Now, a decade later, it is the right time to understand Rabbi Yosef's relationship with the Gush Katif disengagement and the settlers' sorrow.

Visiting the 'Gush Katif Museum' in Jerusalem takes us back to those tumultuous orange days and the searing pain. Without delving into ideology, one's heart breaks at Jewish tears flowing like rivers, nearly sweeping away the shore of Neve Dekalim, deserted in broad daylight. Stunned families find it hard to believe their 'strong right-wing' ally betrayed and expelled them. 'Jews do not expel Jews,' stickers tried to scream to deaf ears. On the 5th of Av 5765, tens of thousands gave a farewell to the settlements in the Gaza strip, walking into the unknown.

Museum Chairman, R' Shlomo Wassrteil, witnessed one of the visits by Gush Katif residents. "A decade has passed, so I don’t remember the meeting details," he notes, "but I recall it was emotional."

(Photo: Adi Israeli / Flash 90)

Roni Chori, who organized and attended visits to Rabbi Yosef’s residence, tried to recall the content: "We presented to Maran the concerns over synagogues and Torah studies in Gush Katif, as well as the life-threatening danger of this move," he recalls to 'Yom LeYom' after a decade. "We had determined it was clearly forbidden to evacuate," Maran responded. 'The Torah said, "Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor."' He also instructed Shas representatives to support the worried and fearful residents of Gush Katif."

"Maran," said Rabbi Shitrit, zt'l's faithful student, "appreciated the settlers of Gush Katif. On the 12th of Cheshvan 5765, he was delighted when others joined his criticism against the plan. 'They merit us to produce bug-free lettuce for the Seder night. Only they do, and it is a great merit to have that,' he remarked."

"What Will Your Answer Be on Judgment Day?"

In early Cheshvan 5765, as the disengagement plan was under decision-makers' scrutiny, Maran opposed the reckless plan.

During his weekly Saturday night class, broadcast via satellite, a few days before the law passed in Knesset, Rabbi Yosef stated:

"I call on all Likud members and Knesset members to unite and vote against," he decreed in the synagogue 'Yazdim' in the Bukharan neighborhood.

"On Saturday night of 11th Iyar, six months ago, the disengagement was on the agenda, and I spoke clearly: without doubt, everyone must vote against. All Knesset members should vote 'against' as one man," he declared.

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef (Photo: Yonatan Sindel / Flash 90)

Maran further explained: "My intention is not to enter into opposition or coalition debates but to discuss the core issue. Do not stand idly by your neighbor's blood. If these residents are evacuated and terrorists arrive, they would be very close to Ashkelon, Netivot, and Ashdod."

"Thirty years ago, I said, 'land for peace,' and I stand by it. But only for true peace with trustworthy partners. But these (the Palestinians) desire war, and there is no point in discussions. Leaving them is not an answer. I call on Likud and all parties, without exception, to consider what you are doing to Israel. If terrorists occupy Gush Katif, what will your answer be on Judgment Day? How could you endanger Israel?"

Maran clarified that even abstention from voting is prohibited, saying: "When a person sees someone drowning and says, 'I abstain,' what is that 'abstinence' - it's against the Torah command not to stand idly by your neighbor's blood. One must save them, why wouldn't you? Those who abstain, are guilty too."

"We, as Israelis, must maintain unity, and one must never lift a hand against another. 'Its ways are pleasantness and all its paths are peace.' Lifting hands against soldiers is forbidden," he said, concluding his words of pain, straight from a heart bleeding with sorrow.

"I Pray for You"

During those times of heightened discussion, public pressure increased. A procession of Gush Katif rabbis and settlement leaders sought the guidance of Israel's leader, Rabbi Yosef, zt'l. In many meetings, the pain was shown, hoping the plan would be thwarted. "Our connection with Maran" Rabbi G’ from the Gani-Tal settlement recalled, "began during the Intifada. Maran welcomed us warmly, praying daily, 'and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares.'"

"Months before the withdrawal, we returned to Maran's door. We expressed our concern that Torah schools, preschools, and kindergartens would be destroyed during the disengagement. He was deeply moved, repeatedly slapping us affectionately, saying, 'I pray for you.' We felt strengthened by him. We knew he empathized deeply with us, in our agony."

Meir Yerimi, a former resident of Gadid settlement in Gush Katif and now residing in Nitzan, remembers: "Everyone knows that Tzvi Hendel, an NRP (Bayit Yehudi) MK living then in Gani-Tal, vanished during the vote and didn't strongly oppose the expulsion. Eventually, PM Sharon fired them from the government. Vulgar elements smugly protested in front of Maran's holy residence. Regretfully, they ended up orchestrating the expulsion in the Knesset. On the other hand, Maran unequivocally instructed Shas representatives to oppose this terrible move. And so they did."

Our discussions with Maran," he recalls, "were not idle conversations but concise discussions to not interrupt his studies. 'The state is expelling us from our homes,' we lamented and asked Maran to speak to the PM about it, knowing his steadfast stance was against evacuation. We knew Shas agents roamed Gush Katif, expressing deep solidarity. Once, Maran banged on the table firmly stating: 'It mustn’t happen.' He then showered us with supportive words and blessed us warmly."

When Maran Cried with the Rabbis

Pinhas Wallerstein, former member of the Yesha Council and former chairman, recalls frequent visits before the expulsion to Maran's sacred residence. "Discussions were mostly about the demolition of synagogues and schools, and it was evident the matter deeply pained Maran," he says. "Some Gush Katif rabbis maintained regular meetings with him, gaining much blessing and strength from there. Those meetings were emotional; the feelings were intense. Maran wept bitterly with the rabbis."

(Photo: Kobi Gideon / Flash 90)

It comes as no surprise that former Gush Katif residents mourned individually at Maran’s passing and sent a condolence letter to his sons, especially to Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, l'chaim:

"The Gush Katif residents committee sends condolences to the Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef and all the family," the committee representing the evacuees wrote.

"Israel lost a great figure with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's passing," they wrote, "His door was open during hard times of many troubles for Gush Katif residents. He welcomed us warmly and prayed for us."

The committee noted that "despite failing to hold back the expulsion decree, we value Rabbi Yosef zt'l's empathy and support for us."

They added that Maran instructed public representatives to assist in rebuilding Gush Katif communities however possible. "His Torah, prayers, and concern will be missed," they wrote.

After Gush Katif's destruction, the settlers too can weep and lament on Tisha B’Av for our Temple's fall, raising Maran to the heavens: "My eyes, my eyes shed tears, for the comforter is far from me."

The comforter of the displaced, Maran, left us, as though our Temple had fallen once more.

Abraham Israel Friedman's email: abyisrael@gmail.com